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Review
. 2022 Aug 7;28(29):3793-3802.
doi: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i29.3793.

Epidemiologic and socioeconomic factors impacting hepatitis B virus and related hepatocellular carcinoma

Bipul Gnyawali  1 , Antoinette Pusateri  2 , Ashley Nickerson  2 , Sajid Jalil  2 , Khalid Mumtaz  3
Affiliations
Review

Epidemiologic and socioeconomic factors impacting hepatitis B virus and related hepatocellular carcinoma

Bipul Gnyawali et al. World J Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Chronic Hepatitis B is a highly prevalent disease worldwide and is estimated to cause more than 800000 annual deaths from complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although universal hepatitis B vaccination programs may have reduced the incidence and prevalence of chronic hepatitis B and related HCC, the disease still imposes a significant healthcare burden in many endemic regions such as Africa and the Asia-Pacific region. This is especially concerning given the global underdiagnosis of hepatitis B and the limited availability of vaccination, screening, and treatment in low-resource regions. Demographics including male gender, older age, ethnicity, and geographic location as well as low socioeconomic status are more heavily impacted by chronic hepatitis B and related HCC. Methods to mitigate this impact include increasing screening in high-risk groups according to national guidelines, increasing awareness and health literacy in vulnerable populations, and developing more robust vaccination programs in under-served regions.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Healthcare disparity; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B vaccine; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Socioeconomic status.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict-of-interest statement: There are no conflicts of interest to report.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Geographic distribution of chronic hepatitis B virus.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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