The Burden of Infectious Disease Among Inmates of and Releasees from US Correctional Facilities

This study developed national estimates of the burden of selected infec-tious diseases among correctional inmates and releasees during 1997. Methods. Data from surveys, surveillance, and other reports were synthesized to de-velop these estimates. Results. During 1997, 20 % to 26 % of all people living with HIV in the United States, 29 % to 43 % of all those infected with the hepatitis C virus, and 40 % of all those who had tuberculosis disease in that year passed through a correctional facility. Conclusions. Correctional facilities are critical settings for the efficient delivery of pre-vention and treatment interventions for infectious diseases. Such interventions stand to benefit not only inmates, their families, and partners, but also the public health o