Although viral hepatitis affects millions of Americans nationwide from all social, economic, and racial and ethnic groups, it disproportionately impacts certain populations and communities. Hepatitis prevention and treatment efforts can be more efficient and effective by identifying and focusing efforts on those populations that bear a disproportionately higher burden of infection and disease, referred to in the Viral Hepatitis Plan as priority populations. The Plan uses nationwide surveillance data to determine the priority populations. Focusing on the priority populations will reduce health disparities and put the nation on the path toward elimination of viral hepatitis. This approach should not diminish efforts to increase awareness, prevention, treatment, and integration of viral hepatitis efforts more generally, for all populations.
National incidence, prevalence, and mortality rates were used to identify a small number of groups most impacted by each type of hepatitis. Of note, national data on many populations are limited, and the data-driven approach of this plan to identify priority populations does not result in every population at higher risk or prevalence being included among the priority populations. For example, more information is needed at the national level on the viral hepatitis risks, incidence, prevalence, and mortality of non-U.S.-born, justice-involved, and sexual and gender minority populations. The Viral Hepatitis Plan includes strategies to improve services among these as well as other populations and to address the data gaps.
Priority Populations
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National-level data for calendar year 2018 illustrate the disparate impact of hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C (see Table below). Additional data are available in CDC’s Viral Hepatitis Surveillance—United States, 2018 and are posted on CDC’s website as they become available. This report is the source for all data cited below unless otherwise specified.
Priority Populations and Summary National-Level Data
Calendar Year 2018 (unless otherwise indicated)
People Who Use and/or Inject Drugs
People Who Use and/or Inject Drugs |
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People Experiencing Homelessness |
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Asian and Pacific Islander (API) |
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Black, Non-Hispanic |
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American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) |
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People Born from 1945 through 1965 |
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People with HIV |
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Learn more about the Viral Hepatitis Plan or download the plan to read it