Conclusion
In summary, the high prevalence of hepatitis infections among incarcerated individuals and the availability of treatments with less than 100% efficacy forces difficult decision making in correctional health facilities.  Combination IFN/ribavirin therapy is now the standard of care. National guidelines and standards for selecting patients who are to be treated, while providing access to care for HCV infected individuals regardless of incarceration status, are forthcoming from the CDC. The cost of HCV treatment is expected to be a major barrier to wide implementation of the guidelines in prisons and jails. Correctional physicians eagerly anticipate further guidance from state and federal health officials on supplemental sources of funding for HCV treatment initiatives in correctional settings.

CONTINUE...
 

• Introduction
• HCV Epidemiology
• Rationale for Screening
• Treatment of HCV 
• Cost of HCV Treatment
• HIV and HCV Co-Infection
• Conclusion
• Figures 1 & 2
• Tables 1,2 & 3
• References

HEPP News is published twelve times a year by the: HIV Education/Prison Project at the Brown University AIDS Program Box G-B426 Brown University Providence, Rhode Island 02912 401-863-2180 fax 401-863-1243 heppnews@brown.edu