Detecting & managing hepatitis C in primary care: Overcoming barriers to testing and treatment

This study evaluates peer-supported screening as a model of active HCV case finding within prisons with a secondary aim to describe the HCV cascade among those infected including linkage to care and treatment outcomes. The study was carried out in a medium-security Irish male prison with over 500 inmates. The authors conclude that peer-supported screening is an effective active HCV case-finding model to find and link prisoners with untreated active HCV infection to HCV care.

The World Health Organisation has published its mid-term report on progress towards implementing the 'Global health sector strategies on HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections'. The UK signed up to the 'Global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis 2016-21', committing to eliminating hepatitis C by 2030. The report highlights the need to strengthen data and update hepatitis data more regularly. It states that global targets for reducing mortality from viral hepatitis will not be met 'without massively accelerating universal access to testing' and treatment.