Hepatitis c: The path to elimination

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is present in an estimated 4 million Americans in the United States. HCV prevalence rates are higher among persons experiencing homelessness and incarceration. Injection drug use is the most common mode of transmission in the United States, and new HCV infections have increased fourfold since 2005. Prior interferon-based treatment regimens offered low treatment rates and challenging side effects. Current HCV therapies with direct acting antivirals offer excellent response rates with minimal adverse events, and virologic cure leads to reductions in liver-related mortality. Despite therapeutic advances, many patients are not aware of their HCV infection. Even when diagnosed with HCV, rates of referral and antiviral treatment remain low. Our group has been studying efforts to improve rates of HCV testing and treatment.