title: Hepatitis C prevention programs: assessment of local health department capacity.
abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the most common bloodborne infection in the United States. To determine the capacity of local health departments to respond to concerns about HCV, local health officers were surveyed regarding HCV programs and needs. Of 612 respondents, fewer reported offering HCV services (education, counseling, testing) compared with those for HIV. Most respondents reported that technical assistance would be needed for HCV services and that such services should be integrated into existing HIV programs. Many local health departments may be unprepared for a growing need for public HCV services; integrated HCV-HIV programs should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Program, National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Buffington
authors.forename: Leigh
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lipson
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meit
mesh_terms: D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006290:Health Planning Technical Assistance; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D009111:Local Government; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D011635:Public Health Administration; D011897:Random Allocation