Hepatitis C virus antibody testing among 13-to 21-year-olds in a large sample of US federally qualified health centers

abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) incidence is increasing in the United States, with most new transmissions occurring among people younger than 30 years who inject drugs. Fifteen- to 24-year-olds represent an increasing proportion of reported chronic HCV infections, rising from 3.8% in 2009 to 9.1% in 2013-2016.1 Although HCV testing and linkage to care are crucial steps toward eliminating HCV, to our knowledge no studies have specifically examined HCV testing practices among youths. Current guidance recommends HCV testing for children or adults with HCV risk,3 including anyone who has injected drugs, the most frequently identified risk factor.1,2 We sought to characterize HCV testing and the HCV care cascade among 13- to 21-year-olds accessing US federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), an important health care source for underserved communities.