New research says hep C epidemic not caused by 1960s sex and drug lifestyle

published on April 4, 2016 by Karin Larsen, in CBC News

Peak of hep C infection epidemic actually occurred in 1950, not 1965 as previously thought

A new study, worked on by B.C. researchers, says baby boomers living a sex and drug lifestyle in the 1960s aren't to blame for hepatitis C infections in their demographic.

In fact, the research suggests all baby boomers should be tested for the hep C virus because widespread hospital practices predating the 1950's likely led to many accidental transmissions.

Read study summary

"Hepatitis C among baby boomers has been previously linked to sex and drugs," said Dr. Jeff Joy, lead author. "As such, [hep C] testing has long carried a substantial stigma. Our results should go a long way to remove this persistent barrier to testing among baby boomers."

Researchers from the BC Centre of Excellence in HIV/AIDS and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention back-dated 40,000 cases of hep C and discovered the peak of the infection epidemic actually occurred in 1950, not 15 years later during the height of the North American sex and drug revolution, as was previously thought.

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© Copyright BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
St. Paul's Hospital 608–1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 1Y6
Tel: 604-806-8477 | Fax: 604-806-9044
General inquiries: info@bccfe.ca
Media inquiries: communications@bccfe.ca
(Please do not use any of these email addresses to send personal information or book an appointment. To book appointments or contact the H2H clinic, please call 604-416-1517 or fax: 604-564-4893. Do not send your or your client's personal information via email.)

Our work serves clients and communities across British Columbia on lands and waters cared for and nurtured by the many distinct First Nations across the province. The BC-CfE humbly and gratefully acknowledge the stewards of these lands, particularly the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) on whose unceded, traditional and ancestral territories our offices are located.