Efforts to Eliminate Hepatitis Delivers Gains but More Action Needed to Meet 2030 Targets

Why It Matters

The findings reveal that despite effective vaccines and curative therapies, insufficient coverage threatens global health goals and imposes a preventable mortality burden, prompting urgent policy and financing action.

Key Takeaways

• 2024 hepatitis B and C caused 1.34 million deaths worldwide
• New hepatitis B infections dropped 32% since 2015
• Only 5% of chronic hepatitis B patients receive treatment
• Africa accounts for 68% of new hepatitis B cases, low birth‑dose vaccination
• Short‑course hepatitis C therapy cures >95% in 8‑12 weeks

Pulse Analysis

The WHO’s latest hepatitis report underscores a paradox in global health: while the tools to eradicate viral hepatitis exist, their deployment remains uneven. Since the 2016 elimination targets, the world has seen a 32% reduction in new hepatitis B infections and a modest 12% decline in hepatitis C deaths, driven by vaccination campaigns and the rollout of highly effective direct‑acting antivirals. However, the disease’s burden persists, with 287 million people living with chronic infection and more than 1.1 million deaths in 2024 alone. This gap reflects systemic challenges, especially in low‑resource settings where birth‑dose vaccine coverage is low and harm‑reduction services are scarce.

Regional disparities are stark. The African Region accounts for 68% of new hepatitis B cases, yet only 17% of newborns receive the critical birth‑dose vaccine. In parallel, people who inject drugs contribute 44% of new hepatitis C infections, highlighting the need for expanded needle‑exchange and safe‑injection programs. Treatment gaps are equally concerning: fewer than 5% of chronic hepatitis B patients receive antiviral therapy, and only one‑fifth of hepatitis C patients have been treated since 2015, despite cure rates exceeding 95% with short‑course regimens. These shortfalls not only sustain transmission but also drive liver‑related mortality, particularly in Africa and the Western Pacific.

To close the 2030 gap, policymakers must translate existing solutions into scalable programs. Priorities include bolstering domestic financing for hepatitis B birth‑dose vaccines, integrating hepatitis services into primary care, and expanding harm‑reduction initiatives in high‑risk communities. Successful case studies from Egypt, Georgia, Rwanda and the United Kingdom demonstrate that sustained political commitment can yield rapid declines in incidence and mortality. By aligning funding, strengthening health systems, and removing stigma, the global community can shift hepatitis from a persistent threat to a preventable condition, meeting WHO’s elimination ambition.