Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-8-2026
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
School of Pharmacy
First Advisor
Meagen Rosenthal
Second Advisor
William Teer
Third Advisor
Kristi Reece
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a significant public health concern and is a leading cause of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver transplantation when left untreated. Although direct-acting antiviral therapies have made HCV curable for most patients, many underserved populations continue to experience barriers to diagnosis, linkage-to-care, treatment completion, and sustained virologic response (SVR). This study evaluated how patient navigation programs influence progression through the HCV care continuum among underserved populations. Relevant studies published between 2014 and 2025 were identified through searches of PubMed and Embase using terms related to HCV, patient navigation, linkage-to-care, underserved populations, and treatment outcomes. Following title, abstract, and full-text screening, 12 studies met inclusion criteria. Included studies examined patient navigation interventions implemented within safety-net healthcare systems, community-based programs, emergency departments, correctional settings, and outreach-based models. Across the included studies, patient navigation programs consistently improved progression through the HCV care continuum. Linkage-to-care outcomes ranged from approximately 31% in justice-involved populations to over 90% in structured healthcare and outreach-based interventions. Treatment initiation similarly improved across studies, with the highest rates observed in community-based and mobile outreach models. SVR rates were generally high among patients who remained engaged in care and completed treatment. Programs that addressed barriers such as transportation, healthcare system complexity, stigma, and limited access to specialty care demonstrated the strongest outcomes. Overall, the findings suggest that patient navigation plays an important role in improving engagement in care and treatment outcomes among underserved populations and supports the continued development of patient-centered approaches to reduce disparities in HCV care delivery.
Recommended Citation
Jones, Deauntaye, "The Impact of Patient Navigation on the Hepatitis C Care Continuum in Underserved Populations: A Scoping Review" (2026). Honors Theses. 3515.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/3515
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