Having spent a little time looking at the Ig Nobel prizes, let’s give some attention to this year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, awarded equally to Harvey J. Alter, Michael Houghton and Charles M. Rice “for the discovery of Hepatitis C virus.” Hepatitis C is primarily transmitted by direct blood contact, such as a blood transfusion or sharing of needles for intravenous drug use. Knowing that the virus exists, how it is transmitted, and how to detect it has significantly increased the safety of our blood supply, making all manner of surgical treatments better therapeutic options. Preventing hepatitis C infections is also a major reason for needle exchanges, important public health programs which not only reduce infection rates but also provide avenues for overdose prevention and rehabilitation by establishing positive relationships to the healthcare community. The still-compounding public health benefits of this discovery certainly merit recognition at this highest level.
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