Did you know? African Americans are twice as likely to be infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) compared to the overall U.S. population, according to the CDC. Since 2004, rates of hepatitis B have remained steady among all racial/ethnic populations. However, the rate of new hepatitis B infections remains the highest among Blacks, with 2.3 cases per 100,000 people. This Black History Month, ADRLF highlights the importance of promoting health and wellness among Black communities, while addressing several health disparities that adversely impact this population.

While African Americans account for about 13 percent of the U.S. population, they make up about 2 to 23 percent of people diagnosed with hepatitis C—which was at 3.2 million in 2020. Moreover, chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, which are often related to hepatitis C, is a leading cause of death among African Americans ages 45-64.

Black Americans have also been statistically more likely to die of chronic hepatitis C than the general population. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, non-Hispanic Black Americans had been almost twice as likely to die of hepatitis C as non-Hispanic white Americans.

 “This disparity has been present and consistently shown since we as a field started measuring racial differences in hepatitis C infections,” said Heather Bradley, PhD, an epidemiologist at Georgia State University’s School of Public Health who co-authored an article on hepatitis infection and race published in Hepatology Communications journal.

Another study in 2017 found that African Americans were less likely to be treated for HCV than non-African Americans. Access to hepatitis screening and treatment can be blocked off from a significant portion of Black Americans by various financial and social barriers, such as lack of insurance coverage, limited access to providers who treat hepatitis C, and certain restrictions in the use of Medicaid and Medicare. Lack of awareness about hepatitis—particularly of its “invisible” symptoms—also contributes significantly to people not seeking hepatitis testing and treatment.

To address these disparities, consider these key strategies:

• Improve awareness about hepatitis, its symptoms, transmission, diagnosis, and treatment.
• Promote testing and screening of hepatitis, especially among at-risk groups.
• Increase awareness of hepatitis vaccines for children and adults.
• Help connect people with hepatitis to appropriate healthcare centers and treatments.

There’s so much more we can do—at the individual and community levels—to empower Black communities with awareness and healthcare access against hepatitis. To kick-off this important liver health journey, ADRLF invites you to both self-care and spread the word: Screen. Vaccinate. Don’t hesitate. And learn more from the resources below!

To explore strategies to protect your liver, visit our blog

To learn more about hepatitis among Black communities, click here.