HCV Prevention in Correctional Settings Is Good Medicine

Clinical Thought
HCV Prevention in Correctional Settings Is Good Medicine
Lara Strick MD, MS - 12/12/2017

Implementation of prevention services targeting incarcerated patients is possible. Let me tell you why. 

Although the United States lags far behind in public acceptance and implementation of harm reduction services like condoms, needle exchanges, and regulated tattooing in the correctional setting, it is important to note that other countries have successfully launched such programming. For now, we need to rely on risk reduction counseling to augment prevention ahead of full maturation of our harm reduction initiatives. For instance, medication assistance for drug addiction is steadily garnering more attention across the United States as the public profile of the opioid epidemic expands, increasing the political will to broaden efforts to correctional facilities. 

But perhaps the most important thing to remember is this: Implementation of prevention services targeting incarcerated patients is possible. Do not let the fact that you are serving a correctional population prevent you from practicing good medicine because, ultimately, prevention is good medicine.

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