<b>Integrating Qualitative Inquiry and Cost-Effectiveness Modeling to Inform Equitable Hepatitis C Care Implementation</b>

<p dir="ltr">This dissertation evaluates the cost-effectiveness of hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination strategies among people who inject drugs (PWID) in rural and local public health settings. Using economic-epidemiological modeling, the research assesses interventions including expanded testing and treatment, syringe services programs (SSPs), medication assisted treatment, and same-day point-of-care test-and-treat strategies over a 20-year time horizon. A mixed-methods approach integrates stakeholder interviews with transmission modeling to assess real-world feasibility and implementation readiness. Findings demonstrate that scaling up testing and treatment is highly cost-effective, capable of achieving a 90% reduction in HCV incidence, with SSPs further enhancing value and accelerating impact. These studies support investment in comprehensive, community-centered interventions as both economically sound and essential to advancing health equity in HCV elimination efforts among underserved populations.</p>

Author dc:creator

• Sheri Tubach (23804605)

• Harm Reduction
• Hepatitis C virus
• PARiHS
• Persons who inject drugs
• Point-of-care testing
• Rapid qualitative analysis
• Cost-effectiveness analysis

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

DOI dc:identifier

https://doi.org/10.25417/uic.32256933.v1

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:figshare.com:article/32256933