Chronic hepatitis C virus and the Hispanic community: cultural factors impacting care.

Hispanics are one of the fastest growing ethnic minorities in the United States. Estimates suggest there are 32.8 million Hispanics in the United States, comprising 12% of the population. Hispanics have a 40% greater chance of being infected with hepatitis C virus than the general population. In fact, chronic liver disease is the seventh highest cause of death in Hispanics, ages 25 to 44, and third highest in the 45 to 64 age group.