Access to hepatitis C care in prisons


Authors: INHSU Prisons, a Special Interest Group of the International Network on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users (INHSU), and the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination (CGHE), a program of the Task Force for Global Health.

Journal: Independent report Year: 2023 Reference: n/a

Abstract

At the INHSU 2022 conference, our INHSU Prisons network co-convened a workshop with the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination (CGHE), focussed on the strategies for expanding access to hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevention, testing, and treatment in prison settings. 

Based on the findings, discussions, and recommendations from the workshop, a new report has now been published.

The workshop and subsequent report were divided into three sections, the first section sets the stage by providing the latest data on the epidemiology, the most current policy guidance, and an update on models of care for HCV in prisons.

The second section presents best practices based on real-world experiences for overcoming particular challenges inhibiting access to HCV prevention, screening, and treatment services in prison settings. The third section presents case studies from a wide range of settings on advocacy strategies for addressing roadblocks in policy, financing, implementation, or general awareness to scaling up access to HCV care in prisons.

This new report, “Expanding access to hepatitis C prevention, testing, and treatment in prisons: Recommendations from the INHSU 2022 Prisons Workshop,” provides a comprehensive roadmap to for improving HCV care and treatment for persons who are incarcerated across diverse settings. The workshop model allowed for input from diverse stakeholders, including persons with lived experience of providing and receiving HCV care in the prison setting.

Download report