MMWR: Early Identification and Linkage to Care of Persons with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection––Three U.S. Sites, 2012-2014

This report describes programs at three sites (New York, New York; Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota; and San Diego, California) that conducted hepatitis B virus (HBV) testing, in clinical or community settings, and referred for medical evaluation and care those persons whose hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test results were positive. During October 2012–March 2014, the three sites tested 4,727 persons for HBV infection; 310 (6.6%) were HBsAg-positive. Among the HBsAg-positive persons, 94% were informed of their results, 90% were counseled, 86% were referred for care, and 66% attended their scheduled first medical visit. These projects demonstrate that community-based programs can identify infected persons among populations with a high prevalence of HBV infection and refer HBsAg-positive persons for care.