A new update from the World Health Organization highlights a familiar but uncomfortable reality in viral hepatitis control. Meaningful global progress has been achieved over the past decade, yet the pace remains insufficient to meet the 2030 elimination targets. Since 2015, hepatitis B infections have declined by about 32%, while deaths related to hepatitis C have dropped by roughly 12%. Childhood hepatitis B prevalence has fallen to 0.6%, bringing 85 countries close to elimination thresholds.
These gains reflect the cumulative impact of vaccination programs, improved awareness, and expanding access to antiviral therapies. Despite this progress, the global burden remains substantial. An estimated 287 million people are living with chronic hepatitis B or C, with around 1.8 million new infections occurring each year. Hepatitis continues to account for nearly 1.3 million deaths annually,…
