Projected benefits of molecular screening for hepatitis C in an underdiagnosed rural U.S. population

In summary, the main goal of the proposal is to detect HCV infection in a rural population and the subsequent quantification of viral load in HCV-positive subjects so that proper intervention therapies can be initiated as early as possible postinfection. An additional benefit of this project is the potential to diffuse new technology into rural health care. This article is designed to elicit feedback and comments towards the feasibility and benefits of molecular screening in a rural community in Arizona through the project proposed by the author.