Hepatitis Data/Statistics

Hepatitis viruses can lead to chronic liver diseases, including cirrhosis and cancer. Hepatitis A incidence in 2006 was the lowest ever recorded in the United States . This reduction is a result, in part, to the recommendation in 1999 for the routine vaccination of children in certain states with consistently elevated rates. Also, since 2005, the Hepatitis A vaccine has been recommended for all children. ¹

People with chronic Hepatitis B virus infection are at risk for premature death from liver cirrhosis and cancer. Hepatitis B incidence has declined 90% since the last nationwide outbreak in 1995. Since 1991, routine Hepatitis B vaccination of infants has reduced rates by more than 95% in children. Rates also have declined among adults, but a large proportion of cases continue to occur among adults with high risk behaviors. ¹ The rates for new infections of acute Hepatitis B are highest among adults. ²

Incidence of acute Hepatitis C has declined 90% since 1992; however, a large burden of disease caused by chronic Hepatitis C virus infection remains. ¹ There is currently no vaccine against the Hepatitis C virus, however recommendations for the prevention and control of Hepatitis C virus in high risk groups were issued by the CDC in 1998. ³ Despite the overall successes in the fight against viral Hepatitis, disparities still exist.

Data on chronic Hepatitis B and chronic Hepatitis C virus infection (past or present) are not included by the CDC in the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System reports, because they are undergoing data quality review.⁴ Neither is this data reported in the CDC Healthy People 2010 database.

Quick Facts

• In 2005, non-Hispanic Blacks were almost twice as likely to die from viral hepatitis, as compared to non-Hispanic Whites.
• In 2006, American Indian/Alaska Natives were 2.7 times more likely to develop a case of Hepatitis C, as compared to the White population.
• In 2006, Asian Americans were 1.8 times more likely to contract Hepatitis A, as compared to Whites.
• Hispanics are three times more likely to be diagnosed with Hepatitis A than non-Hispanic Whites.
• In 2002, Black children were 3.2 times more likely than White children to be diagnosed with acute viral Hepatitis B.

  Statistics on African Americans and Hepatitis.

  Statistics on American Indians/Alaska Natives and Hepatitis.

  Statistics on Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders and Hepatitis.

  Statistics on Hispanic Americans and Hepatitis.

¹CDC, 2008. Summary of Notifiable Diseases - United States , 2006. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5553.pdf [PDF, 1.42MB]

² CDC, 2006. A Comprehensive Immunization Strategy to Eliminate Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the United States . Part II: Immunization of Adults. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5516.pdf [PDF, 470KB]

³ CDC, 2008. Surveillance for Acute Viral Hepatitis - United States , 2006. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/ss/ss5702.pdf [PDF, 547KB]

⁴ CDC, 2008. Summary of Notifiable Diseases - United States, 2006, page 2.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5553.pdf [PDF, 1.4MB]