BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated mortality is well-documented nationally, but examination across regions and jurisdictions may inform healthcare planning. METHODS: To document HCV-associated deaths sub-nationally, we calculated age-adjusted HCV-associated death rates, compared death rate ratios (DRR) for ten US regions, 50 states, and District of Columbia (DC) with the national rate and described rate changes between 2016 and 2017 to determine variability. We examined mean age at HCV-associated death and rates and proportions by sex, race/ethnicity, and birth year. RESULTS: In 2017, there were 17,253 HCV-associated deaths, representing 4.13 (95% CI, 4.07-4.20) deaths/100,000 standard population, a significant 6.56% rate decline from 4.42 in 2016. Age-adjusted death rates significantly surpassed the US rate for the following jurisdictions: Oklahoma, DC, Oregon, New Mexico, Louisiana, Texas, Colorado, California, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arizona, and Washington (DRR, 2.87, 2.77, 2.24, 1.62, 1.57, 1.46, 1.36, 1.35, 1.35, 1.35, 1.32, 1.32, respectively) (P<0.05). Death rates ranged from a low of 1.60 (95% CI, 1.07-2.29) in Maine to a high of 11.84 (95% CI, 10.82-12.85) in Oklahoma. Death rates were highest among non-Hispanic American Indians/Alaska Natives and non-Hispanic blacks nationally and regionally. Mean age at death was 61.4 years (range, 56.6 years in West Virginia to 64.1 years in DC); 78.6% of deaths were born during 1945-1965. CONCLUSION: In 2016-2017, national HCV-associated mortality declined but remained high in western and southern regions, DC, non-Hispanic American Indians/Alaska Natives, non-Hispanic blacks, and Baby Boomers. These data can inform local prevention and control programs to reduce the HCV mortality burden.

In the United States, hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated mortality is significant. From 2003-2013, this study found that the number of deaths associated with HCV significantly increased while other national notifiable infectious conditions decreased significantly. The increasing HCV-associated mortality trend underscores the urgency in finding, evaluating, and treating patients.