Hepatitis Awareness Month, recognized every May, is an opportunity to raise awareness about viral hepatitis and associated health issues, including the syndemic of opioid use and viral hepatitis. Insights from 2022 opioid use and Hepatitis C mortality data in the United States show:
- Eight of the ten states with the highest opioid dispensing rates in 2022 were in the South.
- Alabama had the highest state-level opioid dispensing rate (74.5 dispensed prescriptions per 100 people).
- Salem City, VA reported the highest county-level opioid dispensing rate (379.3 per 100 people).
- West Virginia continues to experience the highest narcotic overdose mortality rate in the U.S. (75.2 deaths per 100,000 people).
- Oklahoma led the nation in Hepatitis C mortality in 2022 (13.9 deaths per 100,000 people).
- The West had the highest regional Hepatitis C mortality rate (4.7 per 100,000 people).
Viral Hepatitis: An Overview
Viral hepatitis is an infection that causes liver inflammation and damage. Millions of people in the U.S. are living with viral hepatitis, and thousands of new cases are reported every year. Despite this, many remain unaware of their status.
Approximately 1 in 2 people with Hepatitis B and 1 in 3 people with Hepatitis C do not know they have the virus, preventing them from getting lifesaving care that can manage Hepatitis B and cure Hepatitis C. Without diagnosis, people with Hepatitis B are at risk for serious and potentially fatal health problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure. As of 2016, nearly half of liver cancer cases were attributable to Hepatitis C.
Viral hepatitis disproportionately impacts underserved communities. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders represent about 5% of the U.S. population, but make up almost half of all people living with Hepatitis B. Other disproportionately affected groups include American Indian/Alaskan Natives, non-Hispanic Black people, people who inject drugs, people living with HIV, people experiencing homelessness, and people born between 1945 and 1965. Additionally, the highest rates of Hepatitis C have been observed in Eastern and Southeastern states, emphasizing the need for region-specific public health efforts.
Social Posts
- In 2022, 8 of the 10 states with the highest opioid dispensing rates were in the South, and Alabama had the highest rate of dispensed opioid prescriptions across the U.S.📍Learn more: HepVu.org
- Americans are continuing to die from drug overdoses. In 2022, West Virginia saw the highest narcotic overdose mortality rate: about 75 overdose deaths for every 100,000 people in the state.https://map.hepvu.org/hepc-prevalence/state/rate/none/none/usa?geoContext=national
- Untreated hepatitis C is deadly. In 2022, Oklahoma had the highest HCV mortality rate in the country.We must expand access to testing, treatment, and support. https://hepvu.org/services/#/
- Geography matters in the fight to eliminate the viral hepatitis epidemic. In 2022, Hepatitis C mortality was highest in the West and the South.Targeted solutions are needed to close the gap. Explore data by region at HepVu.org. https://map.hepvu.org/hepc-mortality/state/rate/none/none/usa?geoContext=national
Social Banners
Update your social banners for HepVu’s annual launch with our graphics.
Learn from Experts
- HepVu’s One Question Series on Viral Hepatitis Elimination: RNA HCV Testing
- HepVu Releases Injection-Involved Overdose Mortality Data
- Diana Padilla on the Intersection of Opioids and Hepatitis C
- Dr. Eric Hall on County-Level Opioid Prescribing and Overdose Mortality Rates
- Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz on Opioid Use Disorder
- Deeper Look: Opioids
