Hepatitis C Doesn't Affect All Latinos Equally, Study Shows

Hepatitis C Doesn't Affect All Latinos Equally, Study Shows
New Hampshire state Laboratory Scientist set up a make shift lab at the middle school, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012 in Stratham, N.H. The state Health Department set up the clinic to test hundreds of people for hepatitis C related to an outbreak at Exeter Hospital. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)
New Hampshire state Laboratory Scientist set up a make shift lab at the middle school, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012 in Stratham, N.H. The state Health Department set up the clinic to test hundreds of people for hepatitis C related to an outbreak at Exeter Hospital. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)

A new study shows that within the U.S. Latino community, some are much more likely to be infected than others with the virus that causes Hepatitis C.

According to the study, led by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Puerto Ricans are over 10 times more likely to become ill with the virus than men and women from other Hispanic backgrounds.

While 12 percent of people from Puerto Rico or of Puerto Rican descent are infected, the rate drops sharply when it comes to Mexicans (2 percent), Dominicans (1.5 percent) and Central Americans (1 percent).

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