Viral Hepatitis Among People Experiencing Homelessness

Key points

  • People experiencing homelessness should be vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
  • CDC recommends one-time hepatitis B and hepatitis C testing of all adults and periodic testing for people with risk factors.
Person experiencing homelessness susceptible to viral hepatitis sits against a concrete wall with a blanket

Risks

Certain groups, including people experiencing homelessness, have a higher risk of contracting viral hepatitis.

Definition of homelessness

Recognizing the individual's unstable living arrangements is critical to the definition of homelessness. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, a person is experiencing homelessness if:

  • They lack housing, including if their primary residence during the night is a supervised public or private facility (for example, a shelter) and/or if they are a resident in transitional housing.
  • They are without permanent housing and live on the streets; stay in a shelter, mission, single-room occupancy facility, abandoned building, or vehicle; or are in any other unstable or nonpermanent situation.
  • They are "doubled up," a term that refers to a situation where individuals are unable to maintain housing and are forced to stay with a series of friends and/or extended family members.
  • They have just been released from the hospital with no stable housing to which they can return.
  • They are to be released from a prison or correctional setting with no stable housing to which they can return. CDC has developed recommendations to consider for release planning including linking the person to prevention and care services.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is associated with poor hygiene, contact with people who are infected with the virus, and contaminated food/water. Congregate living conditions, both within and outside of shelters, increase the risk for disease transmission among people experiencing homelessness, which can result in outbreaks. In the US, there is an ongoing widespread person-to-person transmission of hepatitis A.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a bloodborne pathogen. It is highly infectious and transmitted when blood, semen, or another body fluid from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is uninfected.

People who have been in jail or prison have a higher risk of infection, along with people who inject drugs (PWID) or share needles, syringes, or other types of drug equipment.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is also a bloodborne pathogen. Homelessness isn't by itself a risk factor for hepatitis C, but individuals experiencing homelessness may fall into other groups that CDC recommends for periodic testing, such as PWID. Offering screening and testing to people in settings such as homeless shelters could help identify people who might have HCV infection and can be cured with treatment.

Preventing viral hepatitis

Hepatitis A

For hepatitis A, vaccination is the most reliable protection from HAV infection and consists of a 2-dose schedule (or a 3-dose schedule when the combined hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine is administered). CDC recommends vaccination for people experiencing homelessness.

Keep Reading: Hepatitis A Vaccine Administration

Hepatitis B

For hepatitis B, vaccination is the most effective means of preventing transmission among people at risk for infection.

Furthermore, CDC published updated recommendations for hepatitis B screening and testing in 2023 that are complementary to the 2022 Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) vaccine recommendations for hepatitis B.

The updated recommendations include hepatitis B screening for all adults once in their lifetime, and hepatitis B vaccination for all adults aged 19-59 years

Implementing these recommendations in settings such as homeless shelters where services are provided to people at risk for HBV infection can be an effective strategy for preventing HBV in people who would otherwise not seek out care. This might include:

  • People with hepatitis C
  • People with chronic liver disease
  • PWID
  • People with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Keep Reading: Hepatitis B Vaccine Information for Health Care Providers

Hepatitis C

For hepatitis C, there is no vaccine, but curative treatment is available. CDC recommends one-time hepatitis C testing of all adults 18 and older. CDC continues to recommend that people with risk factors, including PWID, be tested regularly and provided with treatment in a timely manner.

Keep Reading: Clinical Care of Hepatitis C

Resources

These resources can help clinicians and public health professionals reach people experiencing homelessness. Use these materials to educate people about viral hepatitis risks, prevention, and treatment.

Scientific guidelines and recommendations

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis C

Professional resources

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis C

Communication resources for clinicians

Posters, digital tools, and social media

The following resources can be printed or shared via websites, email signatures, social media, digital advertising, or other online platforms to encourage hepatitis A vaccination of people experiencing homelessness.

Fact sheets

Professional resources

  • The clinical resources from National Health Care for Homeless Council are designed to support clinicians and administrators in the care of people experiencing homelessness.
  • This infectious disease toolkit from US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) focuses on the prevention and management of infectious diseases for people experiencing homelessness.
  • This document is a summary of current CDC guidelines and recommendations for testing, vaccination, and treatment of HIV, viral hepatitis, TB, and STIs for persons who are detained or incarcerated, and highlights critical public health actions applicable at intake, during incarceration/ detention, and at release

Sources

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Content Source:
Division of Viral Hepatitis