The new epidemiology of hepatitis B in the United States

Although the incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the United States is decreasing, it remains an important health issue, with nearly 2 million people currently infected and a 7% to 30% lifetime mortality rate. Vaccination has markedly decreased the number of acute HBV cases, especially in childre...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current hepatitis reports 2009, Vol.8 (1), p.3-9
Main Authors: Frenette, Catherine T., Gish, Robert G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Hepatology
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
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Summary:Although the incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the United States is decreasing, it remains an important health issue, with nearly 2 million people currently infected and a 7% to 30% lifetime mortality rate. Vaccination has markedly decreased the number of acute HBV cases, especially in children and adolescents; however, there continues to be a substantial incidence of new infections in intravenous drug users and persons with high-risk sexual behavior and of newly recognized disease in immigrants. Perinatal transmission has been significantly reduced with universal infant vaccination, and transfusion/iatrogenic infection has been nearly eradicated by screening blood products and vaccinating at-risk medical professionals. HBV infection rates vary with respect to racial and geographic distribution as well as known risk factors. The Asian/Pacific Islander population continues to have the highest rate (prevalence) of infection in the United States. Further advances in screening and vaccination must be made to further reduce the incidence and prevalence of HBV in the United States.
ISSN:1540-3416
1541-0706
DOI:10.1007/s11901-009-0001-2