Some Indianapolis organizations will offer free, confidential testing for hepatitis C Tuesday for National Hepatitis Testing Day.
Hepatitis C is a viral infection of the liver that can lead to serious damage or even death. Many people who have it don’t show symptoms, but with treatment, it can be cured in 8 to 12 weeks.
In Marion County, 3,788 people were tested for the liver disease from January 2024 to June 2025, according to county health data. About 8% of those people were referred for treatment.
Indiana ranked 11th out of all states for the highest rates of reported hepatitis C cases in 2023, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 2.4 million to 4 million people live with the infection in the U.S.
Where to get free testing
- The Indianapolis Urban League offers testing from 2 to 5 p.m. at 777 Indiana Ave.
- The Damien Center offers testing from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 1420 E. Washington St.
The Damien Center’s new rapid testing service will yield results in an hour and aims to connect patients to care during the same visit as diagnosis.
The organization will offer free boxed lunches from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The event is intended to raise awareness and decrease stigma against people with the condition.
It also offers other testing services regularly throughout the year, including for hepatitis C.
Contact WFYI data journalist Zak Cassel at zcassel@wfyi.org.
