What is the Significance of the Problem?

• Hepatitis C infection is prevalent in many countries worldwide and is the most common blood-borne infection in the United States.



• Hepatitis C is transmitted primarily through direct exposure to infected blood. Sharing contaminated needles and drug paraphernalia is the most common route of infection.



• Hepatitis C is linked to injection drug use, which accounts for most hepatitis C transmission in the United States.



• Hepatitis C is estimated to be responsible for most chronic liver disease in the United States and 8,000 to 10,000 deaths each year.



• Hepatitis C is the single most common reason for liver transplants in the United States.



• The highest rates of new infection are among people 20 to 39 years of age, and the highest rates of infection are among people 30 to 49 years of age.