Integrated Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder and Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Correctional Settings

Authors

• Stacia M. Reagan, Virginia University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Correctional Medicine

Advisor

Dr. Herman

Abstract

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)  are significantly more prevalent among incarcerated individuals and have been traditionally treated separately in the correctional health systems. This manuscript examined evidence for correctional healthcare systems to provide HCV and OUD care together, with specific attention to the clinical, operational, and policy conditions that determine whether such programs can succeed.  PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for peer-reviewed studies published between 2021 and 2026 on direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy, integrated medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), telemedicine, reinfection, correctional healthcare delivery, and outcomes of treatment after release. In total, 23 articles were consolidated through narrative review.

The evidence indicates that combining DAA treatment with evidence-based MOUD has the ability to improve sustained virologic response and treatment retention, reduce HCV reinfection, overdose death after release, and help patients maintain treatment after they return to the community.  Successful implementation of dual treatment programs remains difficult due to multiple factors: insufficient staffing, policy-required medication administration procedures, variations in MOUD policies across correctional facilities, and transitions from correctional care to community care without a reliable handoff.  Funding has expanded access to medications and screening. Still, it has not provided the medical staffing, support services, and administrative personnel needed to deliver those services safely and achieve lasting health improvements.  Integrated HCV and OUD treatment protocols could improve outcomes for incarcerated individuals while also serving the broader community through HCV elimination efforts.  Future research should examine which dual therapy implementation strategies are sustainable and produce long-term outcomes among the diverse incarcerated population.

Recommended Citation

Reagan SM. Integrated Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder and Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Correctional Settings. University of Lynchburg Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2026; 8(3).