Disparities in viral hepatitis infections in the United States: Challenging social justice in public health

In the US, an estimated 5 million people are living with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Chronic viral hepatitis infections are 3–5 times more prevalent than HIV in the US, and according to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), about 150,000 people in the United States will die from liver cancer and end-stage liver disease associated with chronic HBV and HCV in the next 10 years. Viral hepatitis disproportionately affects ethnic minorities, men who have sex with men (MSM), incarcerated populations, and the poor.

Rates of chronic HBV range from 5% - 15% among Asian Americans. African American adults have the highest rate of acute HBV infection, even higher in the south. About 15%-20% of all new HBV infections in the United States are among MSM, and HBV vaccination rates are very low among young MSM. The prevalence of chronic HBV in correction settings is estimated to be 1%- 4%; HCV infection rates in incarcerated populations vary from 12% - 35%.

Nearly 14% of African American men between the ages of 40-49 and 6% of Mexican-Americans aged 50-59 have been exposed to HCV. Prevalence of HCV among ethnic groups: Caucasians, 1.5%; Latinos, 2.1%, African Americans, 3.2%. Hepatitis C-related liver disease is the leading cause of hospitalizations and death in persons with HIV.

The presenter will discuss current data on viral hepatitis disparities, including a recent IOM report on viral hepatitis in the United States, and will review barriers and innovative approaches to addressing them.