Published on: 2026-07-28
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
July 28, 2026 Healthcare
Today, around 287 million people worldwide live with hepatitis B and C. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2024 alone, these diseases claimed 1.3 million lives – approximately 3,500 people died daily.
Despite significant progress in the prevention and treatment of viral hepatitis, the world is unlikely to achieve the goal of its elimination by 2030. This was stated by WHO on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day, which is observed on July 28.
Most deaths are linked to chronic infections that can silently damage the liver for many years, leading to cirrhosis and cancer. At the same time, a significant portion of these cases can be prevented through vaccination, timely diagnosis, and treatment.
Progress in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment
On the eve of World Hepatitis Day, the WHO presented a report on the progress of implementing global strategies in the fight against HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections. The report notes that over the past decade many countries have achieved significant progress.
The expansion of measures to vaccinate children against hepatitis B has prevented millions of new infections. Access to therapy capable of completely curing hepatitis C is also expanding. Furthermore, more and more countries are integrating hepatitis prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services into the primary health care system.
Several countries have also come close to eliminating mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B.
“These achievements show that when countries invest in prevention, testing, treatment, and resilient health systems, it saves lives,” emphasized the WHO.
Mortality from hepatitis continues to rise
However, unlike HIV and tuberculosis, for which mortality is gradually decreasing thanks to international investments and expanded access to medical care, mortality from viral hepatitis continues to rise.
One of the main reasons remains the low level of diagnosis. Only about a quarter of people with chronic hepatitis B and slightly more than a third of people with hepatitis C are aware of their condition.
At the same time, only 4.3 percent of people living with hepatitis B receive treatment. Only 20 percent of those infected have undergone therapy that can completely cure hepatitis C.
The WHO emphasized that without the expansion of testing and treatment programs, the global community will not be able to achieve the 2030 goal of reducing hepatitis mortality by 65 percent.
Vaccination of children
The hepatitis B vaccine is considered one of the most effective means of preventing infectious diseases. Today, 84 percent of infants worldwide receive the necessary vaccination, which has significantly reduced the number of new infection cases.
However, in many countries children still do not receive the necessary protection. The situation is particularly difficult in the WHO African Region, where only 17 percent of newborns are vaccinated within the first day of life.
The organization called for making timely vaccination after birth one of the priorities of global health. To prevent hepatitis C infection, it is also necessary to expand harm reduction programs for people who inject drugs.
Medicines already exist
WHO emphasizes that the necessary diagnostic tools and effective drugs have already been developed. Hepatitis C can be completely cured, and lifelong antiviral therapy for hepatitis B allows controlling the infection, preventing severe liver diseases, and saving lives.
“Today the problem is not the lack of scientific solutions, but ensuring fair access to them,” said the organization.
The cost of inaction
Sustainable funding and political will are necessary to eliminate viral hepatitis, the WHO emphasized. Amid reductions in resources allocated to health programs, the fight against these diseases should not be sidelined.
The cost of inaction will be measured not only in human lives but also in rising healthcare expenses and deepening inequality.
On the occasion of World Hepatitis Day, the WHO called on governments, international partners, civil society, and local communities to join forces to eliminate barriers depriving millions of people of access to vaccination, testing, and treatment.
“The path to the elimination of hepatitis is already known. Now it is necessary to move faster, as every delay means new infections, new cases of liver cancer, and new deaths that could have been prevented,” emphasized the WHO.
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