HCV Epidemiology
HCV and HBV outstrip HIV in terms of sheer numbers of inmates living with these two infections (Figure 1, Table 1). In the US, there are an estimated 4.5 million individuals living with chronic HCV infection, and 1.2 million with chronic HBV infection. 79% of current injection drug users have HCV infection.3   

G Inmates At Risk
Non hispanic blacks and hispanics have higher rates of HCV and HBV infection and chronic disease than whites; most cases of HCV and HBV infections are found among persons who are male, members of minority populations, and 30 to 49 years of age.6     These race and class-related risk factors for hepatitis infection probably contribute to the current concentration of HCV and HBV-infected persons in prisons and jails. 

According to a recent analysis by Ted Hammett for the NIJ and the NCCHC's report to Congress7, between 1.0 to 1.25 million individuals harboring chronic HCV infection were released from prisons and jails in the U.S. in 1996, or approximately 30% (29 to 32%) of the total population living with HCV in the U.S. The prevalence of HCV infection among U.S. prisoners is at least 10 fold higher than the estimated 2% prevalence in the general population.8      

This ratio is based on estimates that 17% of state inmates are infected with HCV.9   HCV infection rates have ranged from 28% (Texas) to 67% of a higher risk subpopulation of inmates (those with abnormal liver function tests or who are known to have HIV infection) in New Jersey. Reflecting their higher rate of participation in HIV and HCV risk behaviors, incarcerated women exhibit about a third higher HCV co-infection rate than incarcerated men.10(Figure 2).
 

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