Viral hepatitis estimates among key populations in Canada, 2021 (infographic)

Hepatitis B and C disproportionately affect certain populations and communities^{Footnote 1}.

Hepatitis C

An estimated 0.56% of the general population^{Footnote 2} were living with chronic hepatitis C^{Footnote 3}. An estimated 0.99% of the general population ever had hepatitis C^{Footnote 4}.

The estimated proportion of people who had hepatitis C varies across key populations:

• People who inject drugs^{Footnote 5} (100,300 people^{Footnote 6}):
  • An estimated 36.9% or 37,000 people had chronic hepatitis C, of whom approximately 1 in 2 were unaware of their infection.
  • An estimated 64.2% or 64,400 people ever had hepatitis C.
• People who have ever injected drugs (388,400 people^{Footnote 6}):
  • An estimated 18.1% or 70,100 people had chronic hepatitis C.
  • An estimated 35.4% or 137,000 people ever had hepatitis C.
• People incarcerated in provincial prisons (18,950 people):
  • An estimated 5.1% or 1,000 people had chronic hepatitis C.
  • An estimated 14.2% or 2,700 people ever had hepatitis C.
• First Nations Peoples (1,048,400 people):
  • An estimated 3.3% or 34,300 people had chronic hepatitis C.
  • An estimated 8.0% or 84,000 people ever had hepatitis C.
• People incarcerated in federal prisons (12,405 people):
  • An estimated 3.2% or 400 people had chronic hepatitis C, of whom approximately 1 in 3 were unaware of their infection.
  • An estimated 11.1% or 1,400 people ever had hepatitis C.
• Immigrants from countries where hepatitis C is common^{Footnote 7} (1,276,405 people):
  • An estimated 2.2% or 28,100 people had chronic hepatitis C.
  • An estimated 4.0% or 51,500 people ever had hepatitis C.
• Adults in the 1945-1975 birth cohort (14,267,340 people):
  • An estimated 1.1% or 157,000 people had chronic hepatitis C, of whom approximately 1 in 3 were unaware of their infection.
  • An estimated 1.9% or 270,000 people ever had hepatitis C.
• Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (669,613 people^{Footnote 6}):
  • An estimated 0.9% or 6,300 people had chronic hepatitis C.
  • An estimated 3.0% or 20,100 people ever had hepatitis C.

The estimated proportion of people living with chronic hepatitis C was the highest among people who inject drugs.

The estimated number of people living with chronic hepatitis C was the highest among adults born between 1945 and 1975.

Hepatitis B

An estimated 0.68% of the general population were living with chronic hepatitis B^{Footnote 8}.

The estimated proportion of people who had hepatitis B varies across key populations:

• Immigrants from countries where hepatitis B is common^{Footnote 9} (5,599,485 people):
  • An estimated 4.2% or 237,000 people had chronic hepatitis B.
• Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (669,613 people^{Footnote 6}):
  • An estimated 1.4% or 9,300 people had chronic hepatitis B.
• People incarcerated in federal prisons (12,405 people):
  • An estimated 0.3% or <100 people had chronic hepatitis B.

The highest estimated proportion and number of people living with chronic hepatitis B were among immigrants from countries where hepatitis B is common.

Although the overall viral hepatitis burden is low in the general Canadian population, the 2021 national estimates indicate that certain populations and communities remain disproportionately affected, and that a significant number of people in Canada would benefit from targeted testing and treatment.