A systematic review and meta-analysis of racial and ethnic disparities in hepatitis C antibody prevalence in United States correctional populations.

Purpose: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is highly prevalent among correctional populations. We aimed to explore racial and ethnic disparities in hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) prevalence in U.S. correctional populations.

Methods: We systematically searched the literature for reports of anti-HCV prevalence among U.S. jail and prison populations, by race and ethnicity. We calculated summary prevalence estimates for non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and "Other" race/ethnicity jail detainees and prisoners and determined the proportion of anti-HCV positive persons from racial/ethnic minority backgrounds.

Results: Few studies reported anti-HCV prevalence data by race and ethnicity, and they suffered from methodologic weaknesses. Anti-HCV prevalence was highest among non-Hispanic Whites (35% [95% CI: 28%, 43%; k = 9], compared to 26% [95% CI: 21%, 32%; k = 10] among racial and ethnic minorities). However, the majority (63%) of persons with anti-HCV were from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds.

Conclusions: Racial and ethnic minority persons appear to comprise the majority of HCV burden in U.S. correctional settings. Universal screening and treatment of HCV infection in correctional settings may impact on community-level health disparities.