Alenzi M, Almeqdadi M. Bridging the gap: Addressing disparities in hepatitis C screening, access to care, and treatment outcomes. World J Hepatol 2024; 16(8): 1091-1098 [DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v16.i8.1091]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Mohammad Almeqdadi, MD, Academic Research, Assistant Professor, Staff Physician, Department of Transplant and Hepatobiliary Disease, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, United States. Mohammad.almeqdadi@tufts.edu
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Article-Type of This Article
Minireviews
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Hepatol. Aug 27, 2024; 16(8): 1091-1098 Published online Aug 27, 2024. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v16.i8.1091
Bridging the gap: Addressing disparities in hepatitis C screening, access to care, and treatment outcomes
Maram Alenzi, Mohammad Almeqdadi
Maram Alenzi, Department of Medicine, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Boston University, MA 02135, United States
Mohammad Almeqdadi, Department of Transplant and Hepatobiliary Disease, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, United States
Author contributions: Alenzi M conducted conceptualization, data curation, methodology, writing, review and editing; Almeqdadi M conducted conceptualization, methodology, supervision, critical review of manuscript. All authors approved the final manuscript before submission.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that there was no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this review.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Mohammad Almeqdadi, MD, Academic Research, Assistant Professor, Staff Physician, Department of Transplant and Hepatobiliary Disease, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, United States. Mohammad.almeqdadi@tufts.edu
Received: April 7, 2024 Revised: June 19, 2024 Accepted: July 3, 2024 Published online: August 27, 2024 Processing time: 135 Days and 22.1 Hours
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a significant public health challenge globally, with substantial morbidity and mortality due to chronic liver disease. Despite the availability of highly effective and well-tolerated direct-acting antiviral therapies, widespread disparities remain in hepatitis C screening, access to treatment, linkage to care, and therapeutic outcomes. This review article synthesizes evidence from various studies to highlight the multifactorial nature of these disparities, which affects ethnic minorities, people with lower socioeconomic status, individuals with substance use disorders, and those within correctional facilities. The review also discusses policy implications and targeted strategies needed to overcome barriers and ensure equitable care for all individuals with HCV. Recommendations for future research to address gaps in knowledge and evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions designed to reduce disparities are provided.
Core Tip: Racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare have been well-documented in numerous conditions, including hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Despite guidelines recommending universal screening in specific age groups and populations, racial and ethnic minorities have lesser chances of being screened, accessing treatment, and achieving sustained virologic responses. These disparities are a reflection of broader systemic issues within healthcare systems that must be recognized and reconciled. This review aims to explore these disparities in-depth, assess the factors contributing to them, and examine the existing policies and potential interventions that may alleviate the obstacles faced by underserved populations. By doing so, it intends to shed light on potential paths forward to achieve equity in HCV care and treatment outcomes, ultimately contributing to the global goal of HCV eradication.
