226451 Disparities in viral hepatitis infections in the United States: Challenging social justice in public health

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 : 10:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Andrew Muir, MD, MHS , Clinical Director of Hepatology, Duke University, Durham, NC
Martha Saly, MSOD , National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable, Rohnert Park, CA
Lorren D. Sandt , Caring Ambassadors Program, Oregon City, OR
Corinna Dan, RN MPH , Hepatitis B Fellow, Association of Asian Pacific Health Organizations, Oakland, CA
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.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control
Provision of health care to the public

Learning Objectives:
1 Describe the epidemiology and identify communities affected by viral hepatitis. 2. Name the barriers that cause disparities in viral hepatitis prevention, care and services. 3. Identify strategies to eliminate barriers to viral prevention, care and services to reduce the impact of viral hepatitis on disproportionately affected populations. 4. Evaluate strategies to eliminate disparities in viral hepatitis prevention, care and services.

Keywords: Minority Health, Infectious Diseases

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I am the clinical director of hepatology at Duke University and oversee care for persons with hepatitis B and hepatitis C, including the underserved.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.