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.
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]
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