State and territorial health officials play a crucial role in the planning and implementation of viral hepatitis elimination activities. The detrimental consequences of this synergism are further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on screening and provision of services. This phenomenon, commonly referred to as a syndemic, highlights the interplay between viral hepatitis and other conditions including STIs, HIV, mental health, and substance use disorders.
People who use drugs are at increased risk of bloodborne exposure to hepatitis B and C, with approximately 35% of hepatitis B and 67% of hepatitis C cases with available risk information reporting intravenous drug use. Major increases in both forms of viral hepatitis tend to cluster in alignment with jurisdictions and age groups most affected by the injection drug use crisis.
Additionally, chronic viral hepatitis contributes significantly to the nation’s healthcare expenditures, with total costs for hepatitis C alone estimated to be upwards of $6 billion and Medicare treatment costs expected to top $28 billion for the period ranging from 2017-2026. Despite this, upwards of 50% of individuals living with chronic hepatitis B or C infection may be unaware of their status. Additionally, although the United States met annual targets for reduction in cases and deaths associated with chronic hepatitis B, continued efforts to increase awareness of testing and linkage to care remain necessary.Ĭhronic hepatitis B or C infection can result in potentially life-threatening health outcomes, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Data from CDC highlights a 133% rise in cases of acute hepatitis C infection from 2012-2019 and new case counts four times higher than those seen a decade ago. In the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, cases of viral hepatitis continue to rise at alarming rates across the United States.
Public Health Infrastructure and Systems Improvement.Territories and Freely Associated States.
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