Figure 3.4. Rates of reported acute hepatitis C virus infection, by age group — United States, 2004–2019

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Since 2010, rates of reported acute hepatitis C increased among almost all age groups of ≥20 years. The rate of acute hepatitis C has remained the highest among persons aged 20–39 years, similar to age groups at highest risk for fatal overdose in the United States and age at initiation of injection drug use among certain US populations. Compared with 2018, the greatest increase in the rates of acute hepatitis C were observed among those aged 40–49 years (31% increase), followed by those aged 30–39 years (23% increase). For the first time in more than a decade, the rate of acute hepatitis C decreased slightly among those aged 20–29 years. Rates have consistently been lowest among those aged <20 years or ≥60 years; however, rates have been increasing among those aged ≥60 years since 2015.

Source: Jalal H, Buchanich JM, Sinclair DR, et al. Age and generational patterns of overdose death risk from opioids and other drugs. Nat Med 2020;26:699–704. doi: 10.1038/s41591-020-0855-y.