Hepatitis C elimination among people incarcerated in prisons: challenges and recommendations for action within a health systems framework

Authors

Matthew J. Akiyama, Department of Medicine, Divisions of General Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease, Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY, USA
Nadine Kronfli, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Chronic Viral Illness Service, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
Joaquin Cabezas, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Santander, Spain; Marques de Valdecilla Research Institute, Santander, Spain
Yumi Sheehan, Viral Immunology Systems Program, Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Prem H. Thurairajah, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
Richard Lines, School of Law, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
Andrew R. Lloyd, Viral Immunology Systems Program, Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
International Network on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users–Prisons Network

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2021

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global public health problem in correctional settings. The International Network on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users–Prisons Network is a special interest group committed to advancing scientific knowledge exchange and advocacy for HCV prevention and care in correctional settings. In this Review, we highlight seven priority areas and best practices for improving HCV care in correctional settings: changing political will, ensuring access to HCV diagnosis and testing, promoting optimal models of HCV care and treatment, improving surveillance and monitoring of the HCV care cascade, reducing stigma and tackling the social determinants of health inequalities, implementing HCV prevention and harm reduction programmes, and advancing prison-based research.

Recommended Citation

Akiyama, Matthew J.; Nadine Kronfli; Joaquin Cabezas; Yumi Sheehan; Prem H. Thurairajah; Richard Lines; Andrew R. Lloyd; and International Network on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users–Prisons Network. "Hepatitis C elimination among people incarcerated in prisons: challenges and recommendations for action within a health systems framework." (2021). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/hsc_echo_bibliography/10