Black children with hepatitis C virus (HCV) face significantly lower odds of receiving proper medical care compared to their white and Hispanic peers, according to a new study. Researchers found that fewer than one in three children with HCV are linked to specialized care, with even fewer receiving treatment.
The nationwide study examined 928 children diagnosed with HCV from birth through age 18. Among these children, only 32% were connected to appropriate care, and a mere 12% received the recommended direct-acting antiviral medications. These medications have revolutionized HCV treatment in recent years, with guidelines now recommending treatment initiation as early as age 3.
Most concerning were the stark racial disparities revealed in the analysis. White children had more than three times the odds of being linked to care compared to Black children. Hispanic/Latinx children fared somewhat better but still faced significant barriers, with approximately double the odds of linkage to care compared to Black children. These disparities persisted even after researchers adjusted for factors like sex, birth cohort, and geographic region.
The findings highlight a critical gap in pediatric healthcare delivery that disproportionately affects minority communities. Researchers concluded that targeted interventions are needed to advance HCV elimination goals and reduce these troubling disparities in access to care.
See: “Disparities in Linkage to Care Among Children With Hepatitis C Virus in the United States” (April 18, 2025)
