title: Rise in the incidence of viral hepatitis in Israel despite improved socioeconomic conditions.
abstract: The incidence of viral hepatitis (mostly type A) in Israel, an area highly endemic for the disease, was examined between 1951 and 1985. During a period of improved standards of living, the overall reported incidence of the disease increased. In the Jewish population, the age of peak incidence shifted from 1-4 y to 5-9 y; this change is compatible with improved sanitation. However, whereas the absolute incidence declined among children 1-4 y old, it doubled among those 5-9 y old over the same period. The peak incidence in the non-Jewish population remains in children 1-4 y old. One possible explanation for the rise in overall incidence is an increase in the ratio of clinical to subclinical infections due to a shift of peak incidence to an older age group. Seasonal patterns have persisted against a background of changing morbidity, with the maximal incidence from late summer to midwinter. An unexplained, consistent excess incidence among males is observed for all age groups.
authors.affiliation: Medical Corps, Israel Defence Force.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Block
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Slater
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007557:Israel; D007585:Jews; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors