Health Benefits, Costs, and Cost-Effectiveness of Jail-Based Hepatitis C Elimination Strategies

What is the impact of jail-based hepatitis C virus (HCV) interventions on HCV elimination outcomes, and are these interventions cost-effective?In this cost-effectiveness analysis using a network simulation model, jail-based HCV interventions reduced HCV incidence and HCV-related deaths among people who inject drugs both within and beyond jail settings by 47% and 40%, respectively, with a cost of $11 000 per quality-adjusted life-year gained compared with the status quo. Additionally, providing treatment in jails yielded greater economic value or cost savings compared with testing alone.Jail-based HCV interventions, particularly those including treatment, substantially improve HCV elimination outcomes in people who inject drugs both within and beyond jail settings and are a cost-effective strategy for public health decision-makers to consider.

Corresponding Author: Lin Zhu, PhD, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1120 NW 14th St, Don Soffer Clinical Research Center, Miami, FL 33136 (l.zhu3@med.miami.edu).

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