Author information

• ¹California Pacific Medical Center, 1101 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94109, USA.
• ²Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University, 3801 Miranda Avenue, GI-111, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.
• ³University of California San Diego, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. Electronic address: rgish@robertgish.com.

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite the availability of HBV vaccinations that are 98% to 100% effective, an estimated 820,000 annual deaths were attributed to HBV in 2019, mainly related to the sequelae of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Because disease prevalence is concentrated outside of the United States, it is overlooked, but with expanded vaccination recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and recommended screening, as well as heightened awareness by health care providers, we can work toward the eradication of this preventable disease.