Hepatitis C Screening Among Persons Experiencing Homelessness in Emergency Departments: Insights from the DETECT Hep C Screening Trial and Related Evidence

MedXY Editorial Team•Jul 17, 2026•Clinical Updates

Nontargeted hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening in emergency departments (EDs) increases test acceptance and detection among persons experiencing homelessness compared to targeted strategies.
Persons experiencing homelessness have significantly higher prevalence of HCV seropositivity and viremia independent of screening approach and recognized risk factors.
Linkage to care after ED-based HCV diagnosis remains suboptimal, especially among marginalized populations, highlighting the need for enhanced care coordination.
Comprehensive ED-based screening incorporating point-of-care testing and risk assessment can identify high-risk individuals often underserved in traditional healthcare settings.

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This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.

Nontargeted hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening in emergency departments (EDs) increases test acceptance and detection among persons experiencing homelessness compared to targeted strategies.
Persons experiencing homelessness have significantly higher prevalence of HCV seropositivity and viremia independent of screening approach and recognized risk factors.
Linkage to care after ED-based HCV diagnosis remains suboptimal, especially among marginalized populations, highlighting the need for enhanced care coordination.
Comprehensive ED-based screening incorporating point-of-care testing and risk assessment can identify high-risk individuals often underserved in traditional healthcare settings.