Infection by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects the liver and can result in serious liver damage. HCV spreads through contact with infected blood. Some people with HCV may have mild or no symptoms and it may take years or decades for symptoms to appear. HCV infection can be treated with medications that are taken orally. Curing the infection decreases the risk of HCV transmission to others and prevents the development of its long-term consequences.  

Screening for HCV can identify people with the infection so they can be linked to care and treatment. Currently in Ontario, HCV screening generally requires that risk factors for the infection be identified by a health care provider or disclosed by the person. More general HCV screening approaches that do not require the identification or disclosure of risk factors have been suggested, such as one-time HCV screening for all adults or for people born between 1945 and 1975 in addition to continuing HCV screening according to the presence of risk factors.  

This health technology assessment looked at how effective and cost-effective HCV screening is for all adults or for people born between 1945 and 1975 in addition to risk-based screening. It also looked at the budget impact of publicly funding HCV screening for all adults or for people born between 1945 and 1975 and at the experiences, preferences, and values of people who have experienced HCV screening.