A Grassroots Approach to Weed Out HIV and HCV in Special OUD Populations

Injection drug use (IDU) has been fueled by the opioid crisis, resulting in a dramatic increase in hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. People with opioid use disorder (OUD) are 28 times more likely to contract HIV, and one in 10 new HIV infections is attributed to IDU. Further, the CDC reported a 233% increase in new HCV infections between 2010-2016.

Although effective treatments for HIV and HCV exist and are readily available, barriers related to OUD make treatment difficult in this population, especially in the rural, correctional, and VA settings.

In this CME Outfitters Live and On Demand, expert faculty discuss strategies for HIV and HCV testing in special OUD populations, applying evidence-based treatment approaches, as well as prevention strategies, including PrEP, for patients with OUD at high risk for HIV infection.

At the end of this CE activity, participants should be able to:
-Implement strategies for HIV and HCV testing in special OUD populations in correctional, VA, and rural settings.
-Apply evidence-based treatment approaches in patients with OUD with HIV or HCV infection or HIV/HCV co-infection.
-Identify patients with OUD at high risk for HIV infection who are candidates for HIV prevention strategies, including PrEP.

The following learning objectives pertain only to those requesting CNE or CPE credit:
-Discuss strategies for HIV and HCV testing in special OUD populations in correctional, VA, and rural settings.
-Describe evidence-based treatment approaches in patients with OUD with HIV or HCV infection or HIV/HCV co-infection.
-Identify patients with OUD at high risk for HIV infection who are candidates for HIV prevention strategies, including PrEP.