Assessing Disparities in the Rates of HCV Diagnoses Within American Indian or Alaska Native Populations Served by the U.S. Indian Health Service, 2005–2015

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) disproportionately affects American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN). The Indian Health Service (IHS), via federal and tribal health facilities provides medical services to an estimated 2.2 million AI/AN people in the United States. HCV diagnoses, defined by International Classification of Diseases 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes, were analyzed from 2005 to 2015. Results showed 29,803 patients with an HCV diagnosis; 53.4% were among persons born 1945–1965 and overall HCV burden was higher among males than females. These data will help inform local, regional, and national efforts to address, plan for and carry out a national strategy to provide treatment for HCV infected patients and programs to prevent new HCV infections.