Opportunities to address the hepatitis C epidemic in the correctional setting.
An estimated 15%-40% of incarcerated persons in the United States are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Approximately 1.4 million HCV-infected persons pass through the corrections system annually, accounting for one-third of the total number of HCV-infected persons in the United States. This high prevalence of HCV infection is due to the substantial increase in drug-related arrests over the past 2 decades. Although the hepatitis C epidemic in the corrections system may be viewed as a burden on correctional health systems, it is an important public health opportunity and an obligation. Research on the implementation of cost-effective HCV screening, prevention, and treatment programs among incarcerated persons is essential. Testing, education, and, when appropriate, treatment of prisoners should be a cornerstone of the public health response to the hepatitis C epidemic in the United States.
Boutwell
Amy E
AE
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Allen
Scott A
SA
Rich
Josiah D
JD
D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000628:therapy; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011330:Prisons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012107:Research Design; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology