The World Health Organization's 2024 Global Hepatitis Report highlights the alarming rise in deaths attributed to viral hepatitis, making it the second leading infectious cause of death globally, alongside tuberculosis. According to the report, the estimated number of deaths from viral hepatitis increased from 1.1 million in 2019 to 1.3 million in 2022. The majority of these deaths, 83 percent, were caused by hepatitis B, with hepatitis C accounting for the remaining 17 percent.
The report underscores the urgent need for action, noting that 3,500 people globally die each day due to hepatitis B and C infections. Ten countries, including Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and others, bear a significant burden of hepatitis B and C infections collectively, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions in these regions.
To address the growing epidemic, the WHO emphasizes the importance of achieving universal access to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment by 2025, particularly in the most affected countries. This includes intensified efforts in the African Region to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.
Despite global progress in preventing hepatitis infections, the report identifies challenges in diagnosis and treatment, leading to rising death rates. Disparities in pricing and service delivery, as well as funding constraints, remain significant obstacles.
To combat viral hepatitis effectively, the report outlines a series of actions, including expanding access to testing and diagnostics, implementing equitable treatment policies, strengthening primary care prevention efforts, utilizing improved data for action, and engaging affected communities and civil society.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasizes the organization's commitment to supporting countries in saving lives and reversing the trend of rising hepatitis-related deaths. The report aims to advance a public health approach to viral hepatitis and accelerate progress towards ending the epidemic by 2030.
