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World J Gastroenterol. Nov 28, 2013; 19(44): 7846-7851
Published online Nov 28, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i44.7846
Hepatitis C virus control among persons who inject drugs requires overcoming barriers to care
Marija Zeremski, Jon E Zibbell, Anthony D Martinez, Steven Kritz, Bryce D Smith, Andrew H Talal
Marija Zeremski, Andrew H Talal, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, United States
Jon E Zibbell, Bryce D Smith, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, United States
Anthony D Martinez, Andrew H Talal, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, United States
Steven Kritz, Addiction Research and Treatment Corporation, Brooklyn, NY 11201, United States
Author contributions: Zeremski M, Martinez AD, Smith BD and Talal AH contributed to the concept of the article; Zeremski M, Zibbell JE, Martinez AD, Kritz S, Smith BD and Talal AH contributed to the writing; all authors approved the final version.
Correspondence to: Andrew H Talal, MD, MPH, Professor, Chief, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, State University of New York at Buffalo, UB/CTRC, 875 Ellicott Street, Suite 6090, Buffalo, NY 14203, United States. ahtalal@buffalo.edu
Telephone: +1-716-8884738 Fax: +1-716-8541397
Received: July 17, 2013
Revised: October 18, 2013
Accepted: November 2, 2013
Published online: November 28, 2013
Processing time: 147 Days and 9.2 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: Despite persons who inject drugs (PWIDs) representing the majority of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease burden, few receive treatment for HCV. Barriers to treatment uptake exist at multiple levels. Co-localization of HCV management with substance abuse facilities may result in greater treatment uptake for PWID.