The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has released a report revealing that hepatitis C is linked to earlier deaths in the state. Titled “Premature Deaths and Disparities Associated with Hepatitis C: The Hawaiʻi Hepatitis C Mortality Report,” it examines mortality data from 2000 to 2021, highlighting the impact of hepatitis C infections on local communities. The report aims to inform efforts to enhance liver health and reduce preventable deaths.
This analysis marks the first comprehensive study of hepatitis C-related death data in Hawaiʻi. Key findings indicate that individuals with hepatitis C tend to die younger than the general population, with 88 percent of such cases not reaching age 75, below the U.S. life expectancy for 2021. Furthermore, over 40 percent of these deaths occur before the average retirement age of 65, compared to 23 percent for all causes.
Progress has been noted as hepatitis C death rates in Hawaiʻi were lower than the national average between 2017 and 2020—2.63 per 100,000 people compared to 3.45 per 100,000 nationwide in 2020. However, disparities exist among male and white residents.
The report recommends measures such as universal reflex testing and better access to curative medication to curb preventable deaths from hepatitis C. It emphasizes collecting and analyzing population-based data for broader information sharing with community partners.
“Deaths due to hepatitis C are completely preventable,” stated State Health Director Dr. Kenneth Fink. He added that despite progress in reducing these fatalities, people continue dying unnecessarily from this curable infection. DOH plans collaboration with local coalition Hep Free Hawaiʻi and other partners to eradicate this disease.
The report emerged from a multi-sector collaboration involving DOH, Hep Free Hawaiʻi, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It supports “Hep Free 2030,” a statewide strategy aiming for viral hepatitis elimination by that year.
For more resources on local screening and treatment or free provider training related to hepatitis C in Hawai'i visit www.hepfreehawaii.org or https://uhpcme.teachable.com/p/hepatitis-c-training respectively.
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