POCATELLO — To make hepatitis testing more accessible, the Pocatello Free Clinic is administering free hepatitis tests at various locations from Tuesday through Thursday.

More than 300 million people worldwide are living with hepatitis. It claims 1.3 million lives each year, and new data from the World Health Organization shows the number of deaths is rising. Despite there being a cure for hepatitis C and effective treatment for hepatitis B, most people living with hepatitis don’t know they have it until it is too late.

Testing is the only way to know if you have hepatitis, but for most people, testing remains beyond reach.

However, the Pocatello Free Clinic can test for hepatitis. During the week of Nov. 18, the PFC is offering free hepatitis tests at various locations. No appointment is required; simply stop by the PFC mobile van to receive a test.

To find out more about where the PFC will be testing, go to pocatellofreeclinic.org/event-calendar.

The Pocatello Free Clinic is a nonprofit health care organization providing free health care services to uninsured adults. They serve the underserved community, offering free testing, dental, medical, prescriptions and a variety of other services. The PFC is an advocate for testing, as it knows that early detection saves lives and controls the spread of disease. The clinic partners with other health organizations in the community, providing a great opportunity to expand a much-needed service in Idaho.