Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can cause inflammation throughout the body, leading to serious health problems like heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and diabetes. While we know that Asian populations in Canada are disproportionately affected by HCV, we don't fully understand how these additional health complications differ between ethnic groups, particularly between men and women. We studied over 41,000 people in British Columbia who were diagnosed with HCV between 1990 and 2015. Using linked health records, we assessed whether they developed heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, diabetes, or brain disorders over time. We compared these outcomes across different ethnic groups (East Asian, South Asian, and Others) and examined whether disease patterns differed between men and women. We also looked at whether HCV treatment changed these risks. South Asian women with HCV faced higher rates of diabetes and kidney disease compared to all other groups. Among untreated people, South Asian women developed diabetes and kidney disease at rates of 22.7 and 27.9 per 1,000 people per year, compared to 5.4 and 13.1 for women of other ethnicities. After HCV treatment, these disparities decreased but didn't completely disappear, especially for diabetes. This research found that HCV affects different ethnic groups and sexes in different ways. South Asian women faced particularly high burden of heart, kidney, and metabolic complications. It also showed that HCV treatment can help reduce these inequities, highlighting its importance beyond just treating liver disease. However, disparities persisting even after treatment suggest that factors like access to healthcare, cultural barriers, and social determinants of health also play important roles. This research emphasizes the need for culturally appropriate, targeted health programs to ensure all communities can access HCV testing and treatment, ultimately reducing preventable chronic diseases and advancing health equity in Canada.