What is it about?
After the 2014–2015 HIV outbreak in Scott County, Indiana, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a nationwide analysis to identify vulnerable counties to an outbreak of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)/Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and prevent such an outbreak in the future. We developed a jurisdiction-level vulnerability assessment for HCV infections associated with injection drug use (IDU) in Utah.
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Why is it important?
The opioid epidemic is dynamic and over time, it impacts different communities through its sequelae such as HCV outbreaks. We need to conduct this vulnerability assessment frequently, using updated data, to better target our resources. Moreover, we should consider evaluating whether the improvement of HCV screening has an impact on controlling HCV outbreaks. The analysis informs Utah's agencies and healthcare officials to target resources and interventions to prevent IDU-related HCV outbreaks. Our results inform policymakers at the national level on possible indicators of HCV outbreaks as well.
Perspectives
Injection drug use (IDU) increases the spread of HCV infections. Pointing at indicators of injection drug use (IDU) using HCV cases as a proxy for IDU Vulnerable areas to an IDU-related HCV outbreak are highlighted in Utah.
Dr. Nasser Sharareh
University of Utah
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: A vulnerability assessment for the HCV infections associated with injection drug use, Preventive Medicine, February 2020, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2020.106040.
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