Viral Hepatitis: The World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded a sobering alarm about the devastating impact of viral hepatitis, labeling it the second leading infectious cause of death globally. In its 2024 Global Hepatitis Reports, released during the World Hepatitis Summit in Lisbon, Portugal, the WHO revealed that viral hepatitis infections claim a staggering 1.3 million lives every year – a death toll on par with tuberculosis, one of the top infectious killers.
These jarring statistics shed light on a public health crisis that often goes unnoticed but with profound consequences. Viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver caused by various strains of the hepatitis virus, can lead to a range of severe health problems and, in some cases, prove fatal.
Despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment, the WHO report highlights that the number of lives lost due to viral hepatitis is increasing, with 3,500 lives claimed every day. Alarmingly, testing and treatment coverage rates have stagnated, even as better tools and decreasing product prices should have facilitated wider access.
The data reveals a grim reality: an estimated 254 million people worldwide live with hepatitis B, while 50 million are infected with hepatitis C. Notably, half of the burden falls on individuals aged 30 to 54, with 12% affecting children under 18. Men account for a disproportionate 58% of all cases.
While new infections have shown a slight decrease compared to 2019, the overall incidence remains high, with 2.2 million new cases in 2022 – a staggering 6,000 new infections every day.
The WHO’s African region bears a particularly heavy burden, accounting for 63% of new hepatitis B infections. However, only 18% of newborns in the region receive the crucial hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination. In the Western Pacific Region, which accounts for 47% of hepatitis B deaths, treatment coverage stands at a dismal 23% among those diagnosed.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, painted a troubling picture, stating, “This report paints a troubling picture: despite progress globally in preventing hepatitis infections, deaths are rising because far too few people with hepatitis are being diagnosed and treated.”
The report emphasizes the urgency of accelerating hepatitis elimination efforts by expanding access to testing and diagnostics, shifting from policies to implementation for equitable treatment, strengthening primary care prevention efforts, simplifying service delivery, optimizing product regulation and supply, and mobilizing innovative financing in priority countries.
As the global community grapples with the silent killer that is viral hepatitis, the WHO’s call to action underscores the need for a concerted, sustained effort to address this public health crisis. By raising awareness, increasing access to preventive measures, and expanding diagnosis and treatment, the world can turn the tide against viral hepatitis and save millions of lives.
Reference
Hepatitis kills 1.3 million people yearly globally – WHO Published in Punch By Lara Adejoro