Universal Hepatitis C Screening Found Cost-Effective
New economic analysis suggests universal testing in emergency departments is a highly effective way to identify and treat infections.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Diseases — General
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An economic analysis published in JAMA Internal Medicine indicates that universal hepatitis C screening in emergency departments is cost-effective. The model showed this approach identifies significantly more infections than traditional risk-based testing methods.
Why it matters
Emergency rooms act as a critical point of contact for patients who lack regular primary care. By expanding testing in these settings, health systems can better reach individuals who may remain undiagnosed for years while their liver sustains damage.
Researchers found universal screening costs $12,820 per quality-adjusted life-year gained, well below the $100,000 cost-effectiveness benchmark. The model suggests universal screening increases new diagnoses by 34% compared to risk-based approaches.
The players
JAMA Internal Medicine
This is a monthly peer-reviewed medical journal published by the American Medical Association that covers clinical research and health policy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
This federal agency operates under the Department of Health and Human Services and provides public health guidance for disease prevention.
Denver Health Medical Center
This facility is an integrated health system serving as a major teaching hospital and a site for the DETECT Hep C clinical trial.
Johns Hopkins Hospital
This world-renowned teaching hospital is affiliated with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and participated in the trial.
University of Mississippi Medical Center
This academic health science center in Jackson serves as the only Level I trauma center in Mississippi and served as a research site.
The details
The analysis, which utilized data from 147,498 patients at centers including Denver Health Medical Center and Johns Hopkins Hospital, modeled a population of 500 million. Since oral antivirals can cure over 95% of patients, researchers advocate for the broader screening policy over existing risk-based strategies.
Timeline
The economic analysis was published in JAMA Internal Medicine on October 19, 2026.
Initial findings from the DETECT Hep C trial were published in 2025.
CDC analyses regarding hepatitis C cure rates were conducted in 2023.
July 1992 marks the end of the blood transfusion hepatitis C risk period.
Health Landscape
This research provides a robust economic framework for the implementation of the CDC universal adult screening guideline. It demonstrates how transitioning away from historical risk-based models can yield significant improvements in population-level health outcomes.
Patients visiting emergency departments may see increased availability of routine hepatitis C screenings as hospitals adopt this cost-effective model. Because early identification leads to a 95% cure rate with oral antivirals, this change could significantly improve long-term health outcomes for undiagnosed individuals.
The takeaway
Universal screening in emergency departments significantly improves diagnostic rates for a condition that is often asymptomatic. With highly effective cures available, early detection through routine testing is a vital tool for long-term liver health.
Further reading
For more on evolving standards of care, see the Diseases — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medical Daily.
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