Providing hepatitis C treatment in jails
Official title: Implementing a Low-Threshold Hepatitis C Treatment in a Jail Setting
Funded at Rhode Island Hospital · NIH-11007380 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help people in jail who have hepatitis C, especially those who also have HIV, by giving them easy access to treatment and support so they can manage their health while they're incarcerated and after they get out.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rhode Island Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $252,042 |
| NIH project number | 1R34DA061732-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11007380 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who inject drugs and are currently incarcerated with hepatitis C, either alone or in combination with HIV.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not incarcerated or those who do not have hepatitis C or HIV may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to implement a low-threshold treatment approach for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in jail settings, targeting individuals who inject drugs. By utilizing a modified treatment protocol called MINMON-J, the project will provide take-home medications and support from community health workers to help patients navigate care both during and after incarceration. The study will evaluate how effective and feasible this approach is for treating HCV among jailed individuals, particularly those with co-infection of HIV.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve access to hepatitis C treatment for incarcerated individuals, leading to better health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with low-barrier treatment models for hepatitis C in other settings, indicating potential for this approach in jails.
Where this research is happening
-
Rhode Island Hospital
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Berk, Justin — Rhode Island Hospital
- Study coordinator: Berk, Justin
Related research
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-
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A small, patient-focused study will look at how HIV, hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted infections occur together in rural people who inject drugs during an HIV outbreak, and what factors relate to these co-infections.
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Low-threshold hepatitis C treatment in jail to help people released back to the community
A patient-friendly plan to test a simple, quick hepatitis C treatment in jail for people who use drugs, with care that continues after release.
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-
Hepatitis C screening tool used in the Emergency Department
A new ED screening tool helps identify people at risk for hepatitis C so they can get diagnosed and treated sooner.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.