The response rate is lower and no one knows why. Does not mean you won't be one of the percentage that does respond, you just have to try it to find out. It is also possible that the addition of protease inhibitors, new drugs in final testing phases, may increase the response considerably.
Be aware that there is some research finally being directed to the problem and the Congressional Black Caucus approached the president in May about putting a greater emphasis on research for black patients. Obama was receptive.
Look at www.clinicaltrials.gov to get a better idea about research directions. That's where I keep up with what's going on.
Unfortunately, people of African American heritage respond poorly to this therapy; Asians seem to be the most responsive, followed be Caucasians, then African Americans. What genotype are you? Did you treat with weight-based ribavirin?
Welcome to the discussion group; hang around and get to know this disease if you like.
A good place for further information is the site:
http://janis7hepc.com/
Also take a look at this page from hivandhepatitis .com, which explores treatment response in the African American population:
http://tinyurl.com/lnzp7s
Again, welcome and good luck—
Bill