Thirty-four percent of inmates are infected with hepatitis C. There are significant variables affecting the cost of disease management. This paper estimates the effects of these variables and the range of costs. Representative data from correctional systems with varying hepatitis C management protocols were assigned to each variable to estimate program cost. Depending on prevalence, whether or not vaccination is included, and which biopsy stages are treated, cost of management of a hypothetical population of 3,000 inmates ranged widely, from $646,768 to $2,706,740 from diagnosis to completion of evaluation and/or treatment.
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