About 80,000 new viral hepatitis infections occur each year in the U.S., affecting people of all ages, races, and ethnicities. Unfortunately, viral hepatitis impacts the African American/Black community more heavily than many other communities. Facts About African Americans & hepatitis: Hepatitis B • African American/Black adults have the highest rate of acute Hep B infections in the U.S. •African American/Black children have lower Hep B vaccination rates than non-Hispanic White children. • New Hep B infections remain the highest among Blacks, with 2.3 cases per 100,000 people. Hepatitis C • African American/Black are twice as likely to be infected with Hep C when compared with the general U.S. population • Chronic liver disease, often Hep C related, is a leading cause of death among African Americans/Black ages 45-64. • 1 in 7 African American/Black men in their 50’s show the highest rates of living with chronic Hep C. Email us to get involved at info@hepfree.nyc