People of color experience higher rates of the hepatitis C virus compared with white people. This is due to factors like lack of access to treatment and exclusion from clinical trials. However, the underlying cause is racial discrimination.

Around 2.4 million to 3 million people in the United States live with hepatitis C, a liver infection caused by the virus of the same name. Although hepatitis C affects people of all races and ethnicities, certain groups are disproportionately affected by the virus, which can lead to complications like liver cancer.

People of color make up a disproportionately high shareTrusted Source of hepatitis C diagnoses in the United States. According to the Office of Minority Health, while the rates of acute and chronic infection are lower in non-Hispanic Black people, death rates are higher.

American Indians and Alaska Natives have a higher incidence rate of hepatitis C, along with the highest age-adjusted hepatitis C mortality rate among all other racial and ethnic groups.

Hispanic Americans contract this virus at about the same rates as white Americans, but they have worse outcomes. They are more likely to have complications and to die from hepatitis C.

New antiviral treatments can cure hepatitis C and prevent complications like cirrhosis and liver cancer in most people. However, people of color are not offered treatment at the same rate as white people.

Read on to learn what we know about these disparities and what may help address them.

Hepatitis C is more than twice as commonTrusted Source in non-Hispanic Black people as in non-Hispanic white people. About 23%Trusted Source of people in the United States with hepatitis C are Black, even though African Americans make up just over 13% of the total population.

The highest rates of infection are among Black men ages 40 to 49 years. The prevalence of hepatitis C in this group is almost 10%.

The rate of hepatitis C infections and deaths is also high in American Indians and Alaskan Natives. People in this group are over three times more likely to have a diagnosis than non-Hispanic white people.

So why do more people of color develop the infection, and why do they have less favorable outcomes? There are a few possible reasons for the disparities.

One reason is that people of color are often not included in clinical trials that test the safety and effectiveness of new treatments. Only 13%Trusted Source of participants in hepatitis C trials in the United States are African American. To determine whether new hepatitis C treatments are effective in people of color, researchers must begin including people of color in clinical trials.

Another cause for nonwhite participants not being part of clinical trials may be because some are receiving treatment for other chronic conditions, like diabetes.

An older 2017 study found that Black people are less than half as likely as white people to be offered or receive hepatitis C treatment. Additionally, Black people experience higher rates of diabetes, renal disease, and bleeding ulcers. Because of high rates of diabetes and renal insufficiency, nonwhite people might often be considered ineligible for treatment. However, the study found that the main cause was likely racial discrimination.

Another reason for Black people to be considered ineligible could be due to a lack of access to testing and treatments.

Black Americans who are at risk for hepatitis C are less likely to get tested than white people with the same risks. And African Americans who do test positive are less than half as likely as white Americans to be offered treatment or to receive it.

New hepatitis C treatments could help level the outcomes for people of color, but only for those who can get access to treatment. Direct-acting antiviral drugs could cure more than 90% of people from all races. Still, many African Americans aren’t considered eligible for treatment.

As previously mentioned, the 2017 research indicates that there isn’t clinical evidence to support the idea that African Americans should be considered less eligible for treatment. Instead, the reduced access is likely the result of racial discrimination.

There may also be geographical barriers to access. A 2021 studyTrusted Source within an Alaska Native and American Indian community found that those in rural locations were more likely to experience challenges getting medication and resulting delays or gaps in treatment.

About 30%Trusted Source of people who have an acute hepatitis C infection clear it on their own without any treatment within 6 months.

However, people who don’t clear the virus develop chronic hepatitis C infection. Without treatment, they’re at higher risk for cirrhosis and other liver complications from the virus.

Even though Hispanic people have lower rates of hepatitis C than other groups, they’re more likelyTrusted Source to have fatal complications from the virus than white people. A 2023 study found that the rate of hepatitis C-related deaths in Latinos was 6.8% compared with a national rate of 4.5%.

The Hispanic and Latino populations have a diverse heritage. Some evidence suggestsTrusted Source that a person’s country of origin affects both their chances of getting hepatitis C and their outcome. For this reason, more research is necessary to understand how country of birth, country of heritage, or other factors may affect hepatitis C risks and outcomes.

Researchers can help reduce disparities by including more people of color in hepatitis C research studies.

Doctors can ensure their patients of color undergo screening and receive treatment if they test positive for hepatitis C.

There are also things you can do to protect yourself. Many peopleTrusted Source with hepatitis C don’t know they have the infection. Getting screened with a blood test will tell you whether you have hepatitis C so that you know if you need to start treatment.

The Centers for Disease Control and PreventionTrusted Source recommends a one-time screening for all adults ages 18 years and older and pregnant people. Talk with your doctor about getting tested if you have risks such as:

  • You are a person with HIV.
  • You’ve injected drugs and shared needles or syringes.
  • You’ve had a blood transfusion or organ transplant.
  • You work in healthcare and had a needle stick injury.
  • You’ve ever received dialysis.

New direct-acting antiviral medications are very effective at curing hepatitis C. If you do test positive and your doctor doesn’t recommend medication, you may want to ask for a second opinion to ensure that you get the treatment you need.

While hepatitis C affects 2.4 million to 3 million people in the United States, people of color are disproportionately affected. Acute and chronic infection rates are lower in non-Hispanic Black people, but death rates are higher.

Among American Indians and Alaska Natives, the rate of hepatitis C is higher. Additionally, the mortality rate is highest among this group.

While Hispanic Americans experience the same rate of hepatitis C as white Americans, they’re more likely to face complications that can be fatal.

People of color face have less favorable hepatitis C outcomes for several factors. These include not being part of clinical trials for new treatments. Black people are also less likely to receive treatment or have access to treatment for hepatitis C. Research has shown this is due to racial discrimination.

Researchers can make sure to include people of color in trials. Doctors should ensure people of color are screened and tested for hepatitis C.