UVA Study Warns of Sharp Decline in Curable Hepatitis C Treatments Despite Rising Cases

New UVA analysis shows Hepatitis C treatment rates have plunged by over 60% since 2015, threatening US goals to eliminate the deadly liver virus.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 21, 2026, 9:57 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from EurekAlert!

A Paradox in Public Health: Cures Exist but Treatment Falls

Hepatitis C is a bloodborne virus capable of causing severe liver damage, yet it is currently one of the few chronic viral infections that can be effectively cured. Despite the 2013 introduction of direct-acting antivirals—breakthrough medications with a 95% success rate—millions of Americans remain infected. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association by Sanjay Kishore, MD, and colleagues highlights an alarming trend: after a peak in use in 2015, the number of patients receiving these life-saving drugs has entered a steep decline. "Medicines can cure hepatitis C," Dr. Kishore noted, "but they can only work their miracles if we deliver them to those who are ill."

Tracking the Decade-Long Decline in Prescriptions

The research team analyzed prescribing trends over the last 12 years to understand why Hepatitis C prevalence remains high. In 2015, healthcare providers administered approximately 185,000 courses of treatment. By 2025, that figure had dropped to under 70,000. The initial surge in treatment was largely concentrated among older adults and those with commercial insurance or Medicare. While Medicaid access initially expanded between 2016 and 2019, the momentum was derailed, likely due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and persistent systemic barriers to care.

The Hidden Toll of a Silent Virus

Hepatitis C often acts as a "silent killer" because symptoms—such as jaundice, fatigue, and nausea—frequently do not appear until significant liver scarring or damage has occurred. An estimated 4 million Americans live with chronic infections, many unaware of their status. The virus is primarily spread through drug use, though transmission can also occur during childbirth or, less commonly, through sexual activity. Because treatment levels have fallen so far below the estimated 260,000 annual courses required for national elimination, the prevalence of the disease may actually be increasing rather than receding.