Because HIV, HCV, and HBV are all blood-borne infections transmitted through similar patterns of behavior, co-infection is an important emerging public health issue.
About 3 million adults in the United States are infected with Hepatitis C, most of which are baby boomers. However, between 65-75% of those infected with Hepatitis C are unaware of their infection, and lack of medical care can result in significant liver damage. Furthermore, between 800,000 and 1.4 million people are living with Hepatitis B in the United States. Like HIV, Hepatitis disproportionately impacts minority communities; African-Americans have significantly higher rates of Hepatitis C than other communities, while Asian and Pacific Islanders account for more than 50% of those living with Hepatitis B.
You can learn more about Hepatitis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) here.
To take the Hepatitis Risk Assessment, click here.
On May 19, 2013, the U.S. will mark the second annual observance of Hepatitis Testing Day in the United States.
