Global burden of hepatitis C: considerations for healthcare providers in the United States.
An estimated 2%-3% of the world's population is living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and each year, >350 000 die of HCV-related conditions, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. The epidemiology and burden of HCV infection varies throughout the world, with country-specific prevalence ranging from <1% to >10%. In contrast to the United States and other developed countries, HCV transmission in developing countries frequently results from exposure to infected blood in healthcare and community settings. Hepatitis C prevention, care, and treatment programs must recognize country-specific epidemiology, which varies by setting and level of economic development. Awareness of the global epidemiology of HCV infection is important for US healthcare providers treating foreign-born patients from countries where HCV infection is endemic and for counseling patients who travel to these countries. Countries with a high burden of HCV infection also would benefit from establishing comprehensive prevention, care, and treatment programs.
Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. fma0@cdc.gov
Francisco M
FM
Averhoff
Nancy
N
Glass
Deborah
D
Holtzman
D060740:Disease Eradication / Q000379:methods; D014943:Global Health; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D015995:Prevalence; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D019562:Viral Load