Figure 3.4 – Acute – Case Rates by Age Group

Rates^* of reported cases^† of acute hepatitis C, by age group — United States, 2007–2022

Source: CDC, National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System.

* Rates per 100,000 population. Beginning in 2021, single-race population estimates are used for rate calculations. For prior years, bridged-race population estimates are used.

† Reported confirmed cases. For the case definition, see Acute Hepatitis C.

Summary

From 2010–2018, rates of reported cases of acute hepatitis C consistently increased among all age groups 20 years and older. However, since 2018, rates among persons aged 20–29 years have been steadily decreasing — the rate in 2022 (2.2 cases per 100,000 population) represents a 27% decrease from the rate in 2018 (3.0 cases per 100,000 population).

During 2022, rates of reported cases of acute hepatitis C also decreased among persons aged 40–49 years and 60 years and older; remained stable among persons aged 0–19 years and 50–59 years; and increased among persons aged 30–39 years. During 2022, the rate of reported cases of acute hepatitis C remained highest among persons aged 30–39 years (3.6 cases per 100,000 population), followed by persons aged 20–29 years and 40–49 years (2.2 cases per 100,000 population), similar to age groups with the highest rates of fatal overdose in the United States.1 Rates have consistently been lowest among those aged less than 20 years or 60 years and older.