Global burden of hepatitis C: considerations for healthcare providers in the United States

Clin Infect Dis. 2012 Jul:55 Suppl 1:S10-5. doi: 10.1093/cid/cis361.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Disease Eradication / methods
  • Global Health
  • Health Personnel / organization & administration
  • Health Personnel / standards*
  • Hepacivirus / pathogenicity*
  • Hepatitis C / blood
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis C / prevention & control
  • Hepatitis C / virology
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis / epidemiology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / prevention & control
  • Liver Cirrhosis / virology
  • Liver Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Liver Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Liver Neoplasms / virology
  • Prevalence
  • Preventive Health Services / organization & administration
  • Preventive Health Services / standards
  • Risk Factors
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Viral Load