May 28, 2020

Hepatitis Elimination Spotlight: Alaska Takes on Hepatitis in Alaska Native/American Indian Population Across the State

Author: HHS Viral Hepatitis Blog

Viral hepatitis, an “Aggravated Organizm” affecting Alaskan communities as depicted by carver, Drew Michael, and painted by Elizabeth Ellis.
American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities are disproportionately affected by hepatitis C virus (HCV). The most recent national data show AI/AN people as the racial/ethnic group with the highest rates of both acute HCV infection as well as HCV-related deaths. Responding to these health disparities and building on the previous success of hepatitis