title: Demographics of Hepatitis C in Southwest Ohio (2010 to 2015).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cases of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been rising across the United States, and southwest Ohio is no exception.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the rise in cases of HCV in our region, the Ohio Disease Reporting System was reviewed for all cases of positive HCV testing from 2010 through August 2015.
  
  
  METHODS
  29,018 cases were reviewed, with 18,678 (64.4%) cases included in the final analysis. The incidence of newly reported cases of HCV was calculated, and demographic data were reviewed to describe the populations at greatest risk.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All counties reviewed demonstrated a rise in the incidence of new cases of positive HCV testing. All age groups demonstrated an increased incidence of positive HCV tests, with the most substantial rise occurring among individuals aged 20 - 29 and 30 - 39. There was a slight male predominance (53%), and the majority of individuals were white (82%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Southwest Ohio is experiencing a rise in positive HCV testing among young adults. Further research is required to determine the burden of disease, define the primary risk factors associated with disease acquisition, and develop appropriate public health interventions.
authors: Department of Infectious Diseases, Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
authors: Jon
authors: J
authors: Woltmann
authors: City of Cincinnati Health Department, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Burke
authors: Department of Infectious Diseases, Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Brady
authors: Department of Digestive Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
authors: Jason T
authors: JT
authors: Blackard
keywords: Epidemiology; HCV; Hepatitis C