Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
Hepatitis, particularly hepatitis B and hepatitis C, affects millions of people in Europe and the world every year. It can lead to severe liver disease and kills approximately 64,000 people across Europe each year.
However, many of these deaths are preventable. Vaccination against hepatitis B virus has life-saving benefits. Prevention is always better than cure. According to a statement issued by the European Commission in Brussels, it added: “Last month, Member States supported the Commission’s recommendation to support their efforts in cancer prevention through vaccination, a key pillar of Europe’s plan to defeat cancer.

Recognising the public health challenges posed by hepatitis, the recommendation includes measures to increase levels of hepatitis B vaccination across Europe, so that citizens can be protected against the diseases caused by this virus, reduce the burden on our health systems, and better monitor vaccination coverage to identify and address gaps.

To achieve these goals, we encourage Member States to make hepatitis B vaccination free and accessible to all eligible citizens, and to integrate immunisation against vaccine-preventable cancers into their national prevention programmes.

The Commission will support Member States with funding from the EU4Health programme to implement the recommended actions, which have the potential to save thousands of lives.

Tackling hepatitis is a complex task. It requires action at every step, from prevention to early diagnosis and effective treatment.

In our strong European Health Union, we want to ensure that everyone has access to essential healthcare services and medicines to treat diseases such as hepatitis. We work with governments, health authorities, international organisations and civil society to address the causes of hepatitis, raise awareness of how to prevent it, tackle misinformation and ensure better detection and treatment for those affected. Our goal is a future where hepatitis is no longer a threat to public health and where patients receive treatment when and where they need it. By working together within our Health Union, with unwavering commitment and determination, I believe we can reach this goal. The World Health Organization said, “On 28 July, the world marks World Hepatitis Day, an inflammation of the liver that causes severe liver disease and cancer.

This year’s theme is: Time for action. With one person dying every 30 seconds from a hepatitis-related disease, we must accelerate action to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment to save lives and improve health outcomes.

There are five main strains of hepatitis virus – A, B, C, D and E. Together, hepatitis B and C are the most common infections and lead to 1.3 million deaths and 2.2 million new infections each year.

Despite better diagnostic and treatment tools, and falling prices for products, coverage rates of testing and treatment have stalled. However, the WHO goal of eliminating hepatitis by 2030 is still achievable, if rapid action is taken now.

Check back soon for the latest campaign materials, resources and information on how to get involved. Together, we can make eliminating hepatitis a reality.

A statement from the countries of the Americas said that under the theme “Time for action,” this year’s World Hepatitis Day highlights The need for collaborative action to expand access to diagnosis and treatment in countries.

Hepatitis B and C are silent chronic infections that, without proper diagnosis, can progress to cirrhosis or liver cancer, causing a significant negative impact on the lives of people and communities in our region. In the Americas, approximately 80,000 new hepatitis B and C infections occur each year, most of which go undetected.

The result? More than 100,000 hepatitis-related deaths each year.

The good news is that there are medicines available to treat hepatitis C, as well as effective treatments to control hepatitis B.

Here’s the key: prevention is possible! Vaccines and effective treatments exist, offering hope to everyone. The hepatitis B vaccine is available for adults and children, while safe oral treatments can cure hepatitis C. Knowing your status and getting treatment is crucial for pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B to prevent mother-to-child transmission. PAHO works with countries in the region to increase access to diagnostic tests, medicines and vaccines for viral hepatitis through the PAHO Strategic Fund and Revolving Fund. Together, we can eliminate hepatitis in the Americas and achieve PAHO’s goal of eliminating it by 2030. Let’s work to reduce the number of new cases and prevent unnecessary deaths from hepatitis B and C infections.