Research from ICES and Unity Health Toronto shows that safer opioid supply programs and methadone both reduce opioid overdoses, health care utilization, and costs.
16 hours ago
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A new Australian-first study from the Burnet Institute has found that every dollar invested in Australian prison needle and syringe programs could save more than two dollars in treatment costs for hepatitis C and injection-related ...
Apr 21, 2025
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"Harm reduction" interventions for substance use—measures like needle exchange programs and methadone distribution that aim to reduce the adverse effects of substance use, rather than punish or prevent it—have been repeatedly ...
Apr 15, 2025
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One hundred years ago, scientific research began at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, eventually yielding discoveries like the implantable pacemaker, the nicotine patch and the concept of a CT scan.
Apr 11, 2025
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More than two-fifths of Oregon community pharmacies require a prescription to purchase syringes, even though they can be sold over the counter, creating an access barrier that could exacerbate the spread of bloodborne diseases ...
Apr 3, 2025
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Hepatitis C is an infectious disease affecting primarily the liver, caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The infection is often asymptomatic, but chronic infection can lead to scarring of the liver and ultimately to cirrhosis, which is generally apparent after many years. In some cases, those with cirrhosis will go on to develop liver failure, liver cancer or life-threatening esophageal and gastric varices.
HCV is spread primarily by blood-to-blood contact associated with intravenous drug use, poorly sterilized medical equipment and transfusions. An estimated 130–170 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis C. The existence of hepatitis C (originally "non-A non-B hepatitis") was postulated in the 1970s and proven in 1989. It is not known to cause disease in other animals.
The virus persists in the liver in about 85% of those infected. This persistent infection can be treated with medication; peginterferon and ribavirin are the current standard therapy. Overall, between 50–80% of people treated are cured. Those who develop cirrhosis or liver cancer may require a liver transplant. Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver transplantation though the virus usually recurs after transplantation. No vaccine against hepatitis C is currently available.
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