The United States is losing ground in its fight against viral hepatitis, with new federal data revealing that hepatitis C infections have nearly doubled since 2017, while hepatitis B progress has slowed significantly. According to the CDC's 2026 Viral Hepatitis National Progress Report, the nation is falling short on multiple fronts in its effort to eliminate these preventable diseases.

Why Is Hepatitis C Infection Rising When It Should Be Falling?

The most alarming finding involves hepatitis C. In 2017, an estimated 44,700 new hepatitis C infections occurred in the United States. By 2024, that number had jumped to 77,400 infections, representing a 73% increase. The 2024 target was to reduce new infections to 28,880, but the nation is now moving in the opposite direction.

This surge is particularly troubling because hepatitis C is curable. Modern antiviral medications can eliminate the virus in over 95% of people who receive treatment. Yet the rising infection rate suggests that prevention efforts and access to treatment remain inadequate, especially among vulnerable populations.

How Is Hepatitis B Performing Against National Goals?

Hepatitis B shows a different but still concerning pattern. New infections declined from 22,200 in 2017 to 19,500 in 2024, representing progress toward the 2028 goal of 14,840 new infections annually. However, the pace of decline is slower than needed to meet the target. The nation is on track to fall short of its elimination goals unless the rate of improvement accelerates significantly.

The CDC has established specific targets across multiple indicators to measure progress toward viral hepatitis elimination. These benchmarks track not only new infections but also disease-related deaths and disparities among specific populations.

Steps to Support Viral Hepatitis Prevention and Elimination

• Vaccination Access: Ensure hepatitis A and B vaccines are available to all age groups, particularly those at higher risk, including people who inject drugs and healthcare workers.
• Testing and Screening: Advocate for routine hepatitis C screening in primary care settings and emergency departments to identify infections early before liver damage occurs.
• Treatment Linkage: Support programs that connect people diagnosed with hepatitis C to antiviral therapy, which can cure the infection in weeks to months.
• Harm Reduction Services: Expand access to sterile injection equipment and medication-assisted treatment programs to reduce transmission among people who inject drugs.
• Community Education: Increase awareness about hepatitis transmission routes, prevention strategies, and the availability of effective treatments in underserved communities.

Which Populations Are Most Affected by Rising Hepatitis Rates?

The CDC's progress report highlights significant disparities in viral hepatitis burden across racial and ethnic groups. The agency has set specific mortality reduction targets for non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander persons with hepatitis B, and for non-Hispanic American Indian, Alaska Native, and Black persons with hepatitis C. These targeted goals acknowledge that certain communities face disproportionate disease burden and require tailored prevention and treatment strategies.

Among people who inject drugs, both hepatitis B and C transmission remain elevated. The CDC aims to reduce the reported rate of new hepatitis B infections among this group to 0.1 per 100,000 population by 2028, and hepatitis C infections to 0.2 per 100,000 population. These specific benchmarks reflect the reality that injection drug use remains a significant transmission route for both viruses.

The gap between current performance and national targets underscores a critical public health challenge. While treatments exist and vaccines are available, the infrastructure to deliver these interventions equitably remains inadequate. The rising hepatitis C infection rate, in particular, suggests that prevention and treatment access are not reaching people who need them most. Federal health officials have outlined a comprehensive strategy to address these gaps, but implementation will require sustained funding, community engagement, and coordination across healthcare systems and public health agencies.

For individuals concerned about their hepatitis risk, the CDC recommends discussing screening with a healthcare provider, particularly if there is any history of injection drug use, exposure to blood, or travel to areas with high hepatitis prevalence. Early detection and treatment can prevent serious liver disease and transmission to others.