The State of Hepatitis B in Florida in 2025: Current Challenges and Health Disparities

TL;DR

Hepatitis B remains a public health issue in Florida with significant disparities and challenges in prevention and treatment.

Contribution

This paper provides an updated analysis of hepatitis B epidemiology and management in Florida as of 2025, highlighting disparities and progress toward elimination targets.

Findings

Florida has higher rates of acute and chronic hepatitis B compared to national averages.

Rural areas face disproportionately high acute infections while urban areas have more chronic cases.

Progress toward WHO's 2030 hepatitis elimination targets is hindered by gaps in screening and care engagement.

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a significant public health challenge in Florida despite advancements in prevention and treatment. This review analyses the current epidemiology, disease burden and management strategies for hepatitis B in Florida as of 2025, drawing on state surveillance data and recent public health reports. Florida continues to experience higher rates of both acute and chronic hepatitis B compared to national averages, with pronounced racial, ethnic and geographic disparities. Rural areas face disproportionately high rates of acute infections, while chronic infections are more concentrated in urban centres. Despite established prevention strategies—including vaccination, perinatal prevention programs and adult testing initiatives—critical gaps persist in service delivery and care engagement. This review also highlights the growing challenges posed by declining childhood immunisation rates and limited harm reduction services in high‐burden areas. Finally, we examine Florida's progress toward the World Health Organization's 2030 hepatitis elimination targets, underscoring the urgent need for expanded screening, improved linkage to care and strategies that address the social determinants driving transmission.

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