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The WHO estimates that 400 million people worldwide — about 6% of the population — are chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers. To determine prevalence, exposure, and immunity rates in the U.S., a researcher examined data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) — a nationally representative cross-sectional study. The analysis included nearly 40,000 people who were tested for surface antigen, surface antibody, and core antibody from 1999 to 2008. Incarcerated and homeless people were excluded. Data from prior NHANES provided information on trends.
Among older children and adults (age, ≥6 years), the prevalence of chronic HBV infection was 0.42% during 1988–1994 and 0.27% during 1999–2008. Hispanics and non-Hispanic…