Despite the treatable nature of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections through direct antiviral direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs, HCV rates remain rampant throughout the United States, particularly in correctional facilities. Recent investigations also reveal that HCV treatment efforts within jails and prisons are ineffective, flawed, and rife with misconduct and neglect. According to a 2022 STAT report authored by Nicholas Florko, many state prison facilities not only fall short in screening and treating incarcerated people with HCV, but also engage in egregious misconduct, such as avoiding mass testing of incarcerated people, providing incarcerated people with inaccurate information about available medicines, and refusing to treat incarcerated people.
Read MoreAs we commemorate the "Ethics Awareness Month," I thought it best to reflect on COVID-19 and highlight some of the ethical challenges that might need attention. With its origins in China, the virus has spread to 170 countries and territories, leaving more than 8,000 dead. It has been declared a public health emergency of international concern and there are no signs of a cure at the moment.
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