This page provides data points and curated searches from OMH’s Knowledge Center library catalog related to viral hepatitis within minority and tribal populations in the United States and its territories. The number of catalog records for each topic reflect the search results at the time of this page’s latest update.
Viral hepatitis is a disease of the liver caused by a virus. The liver is a large and important organ that helps clean the blood, store nutrients, process food, alcohol, and medicines, and make bile to help digest fats. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, it cannot work properly. Many people with viral hepatitis do not feel sick, even though the infection can range from mild to severe. Viral hepatitis is a serious public health problem in the United States and is a leading cause of liver cancer. The only way to know if you have viral hepatitis is to get tested.
The most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, B, and C. These viruses spread in different ways and can be passed on before someone knows they are infected. Hepatitis A spreads through close contact or contaminated food or drinks. Hepatitis B spreads through blood, semen, or other body fluids. Hepatitis C spreads through contact with infected blood. Vaccines can prevent hepatitis A and hepatitis B, and medications can cure hepatitis C.
American Indian/Alaska Native
In 2023, American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) people were 40% less likely to have had hepatitis A than the U.S. population overall. In 2023, new cases of chronic hepatitis B were 66% lower among AI/AN people than in the U.S. population overall. In 2023, AI/AN people had nearly three times more new cases of chronic hepatitis C, and were three times more likely to die from hepatitis C than the U.S. population overall. In 2022, AI/AN people were nearly three times more likely to die from viral hepatitis compared with the U.S. population overall.
For additional data on viral hepatitis and American Indians/Alaska Natives, please visit our Population Profiles.
Asian American
In 2023, Asians/Pacific Islanders were 40% more likely than the overall U.S. population to have had hepatitis A. In 2023, new cases of hepatitis B were three times higher among Asians/Pacific Islanders than the overall U.S. population. In 2023, Asians/Pacific Islanders had about 85% fewer new cases of chronic hepatitis C than the overall U.S. population. In 2023, Asian Americans were nearly five times more likely to die from hepatitis B than the overall U.S. population. In 2022, Asian Americans were 29% more likely to die from viral hepatitis than the U.S. population overall.
For additional data on viral hepatitis and Asian Americans, please visit our Population Profiles.
Black/African American
In 2023, Black/African Americans were 40% less likely to have had hepatitis A than the U.S. population overall. In 2023, Black/African Americans had 56% more new cases of chronic hepatitis B than the U.S. overall. In 2023, Black/African Americans were 60% more likely to die from hepatitis C than the total U.S. population. In 2022, Black/African Americans were 29% more likely to die from viral hepatitis compared with the U.S. population.
For additional data on viral hepatitis and Black/African Americans, please visit our Population Profiles.
Hispanic/Latino
In 2023, Hispanics/Latinos were 60% more likely to have had hepatitis A than the overall U.S. population. In 2023, new cases of chronic hepatitis C were 68% lower among Hispanics/Latinos than the overall U.S. population, but they were 4% more likely to die from hepatitis C. In 2023, Hispanics/Latinos were 36% less likely to die from hepatitis B than the overall U.S. population. In 2022, Hispanics/Latinos were 29% more likely to die from viral hepatitis than the overall U.S. population.
For additional data on viral hepatitis and Hispanic Americans, please visit our Population Profiles.
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
In 2023, Asians/Pacific Islanders were 40% more likely than the overall U.S. population to have had hepatitis A. In 2023, new cases of hepatitis B were three times higher among Asians/Pacific Islanders than the overall U.S. population. In 2023, Asians/Pacific Islanders had about 85% fewer new cases of chronic hepatitis C than the overall U.S. population. In 2023, Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders (NHPI) were nearly ten times more likely to die from hepatitis B than the overall U.S. population.
For additional data on viral hepatitis and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, please visit our Population Profiles.
Date Last Reviewed: February 2026