This is a guest blog collaboration from the New York State Department of Health’s Office of Hepatitis Health Care and Epidemiology.
A Changing Epidemic in New York
Hepatitis C in New York is at a turning point, with measurable progress alongside shifting patterns of transmission. In 2024, there were 2,549 newly reported hepatitis C cases in New York State outside of New York City, a 13% decrease from 2023, while New York City has seen chronic hepatitis C diagnoses decline to their lowest levels in the past decade.
Simultaneously, the epidemic is evolving. In 2024, 41% of newly reported cases in New York State (NYS) occurred among individuals under 40, injection drug use remaining the predominant driver of transmission. The disease burden continues to reflect inequities, with higher rates in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities, and some of the highest rates in rural areas of NYS.
Untreated, hepatitis C can lead to serious health outcomes, including progressive liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, reinforcing the importance of early diagnosis and timely treatment.
Expanding Access to Hepatitis C Screening and Diagnosis
Hepatitis C is often asymptomatic, leaving many people unaware of infection. Routine screening is critical for early detection and prevention of long-term complications.
New York State is expanding rapid and point-of-care testing to enable same-day diagnosis and faster linkage to care, focusing on high-impact settings such as harm reduction programs, correctional facilities, and substance use treatment programs.
New York State and the CDC recommend all adults be tested for hepatitis C at least once, and pregnant people during each pregnancy.
Find free hepatitis C rapid testing near you.
Advancing Linkage to Hepatitis C Care and Treatment
Testing alone is not sufficient. Connecting individuals to care and supporting them through treatment is essential to reducing transmission and improving outcomes.
New York State continues to invest in patient navigation and community-based testing and treatment models that reduce barriers and support individuals across the care continuum.
Learn more about hepatitis C treatment options.
Hepatitis C Cure Day
Hepatitis C is highly curable, with direct-acting antiviral treatments achieving cure for individuals in as little as 8 to 12 weeks with minimal side effects.
May is Hepatitis Awareness Month and May 21, 2026 is Hepatitis C Cure Day in New York State. Cure Day is an opportunity to celebrate those cured and to encourage individuals living with hepatitis C to initiate and complete treatment.
Cure is not only an individual outcome. It is a critical component of population-level elimination.
Sustaining Progress Toward Elimination
New York State’s Hepatitis C Elimination Plan outlines a pathway to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030. While approximately 55% of diagnosed New Yorkers have achieved cure or clearance, this remains below the 80% target and underscores the need to strengthen ongoing efforts.
Learn about New York’s progress towards elimination during the Annual NYS Hepatitis C Elimination Progress Report Meeting on May 6th.
