Hepatitis C Screening for “Baby Boomers” In 2012, the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended
that everyone born from 1945 - 1965 (the “baby boom” generation)
get a one-time test for hepatitis C. The United States
Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is currently updating
its recommendations for hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening. In a
draft statement, the USPSTF recommended that doctors consider
screening people born during these years. The CDC’s reasons for
its recommendations include: - People born between 1945 - 1965
comprise 25% of the U.S. population but account for 75% of
adults infected with HCV. They are 5 times more likely than
other American adults to be infected with HCV. - Most patients
with hepatitis C do not experience symptoms and are unaware they
are infected. Chronic hepatitis C can be present for decades and
liver damage can occur before people experience symptoms. -
Compared to other Americans, people of the baby boom generation
face an increased risk of dying f