World Hepatitis Alliance Releases Major Report on Viral Hepatitis Policy at EASL Meeting

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http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/2010_conference/easl/docs/0420_2010_a.html

HIV and Hepatitis.com Coverage of the

45th Annual Meeting of the European

Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL 2010)

April 14 - 18, 2010, Vienna, Austria

World Hepatitis Alliance Releases Major Report on Viral Hepatitis Policy at EASL

Meeting

SUMMARY: In conjunction with the 45th Annual Meeting of the European

Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL 2010) last week in Vienna, the

World Hepatitis Alliance released its first major policy report on viral

hepatitis, focusing on hepatitis B and C. Based on research commissioned by the

World Health Organization (WHO), the report describes global responses to the

urgent public health issue of viral hepatitis, finding that many counties lack

national prevention and management policies even though 10 times more people

have hepatitis B and C than HIV/AIDS.

Below is a press release from the alliance describing the new report. The full

report is available online.

World Hepatitis Alliance Launches First Major Policy Report on Viral Hepatitis

Research commissioned by World Health Organization finds 80% of governments

regard hepatitis B and C as an urgent public health issue

Vienna, Austria -- Saturday, 17 April 2010 -- The World Hepatitis Alliance and

World Health Organization (WHO) today launch a major report " Viral Hepatitis:

Global Policy, " at the European Association for the Study of the Liver's (EASL)

International Liver Congress. This unprecedented report captures the extent of

viral hepatitis policies around the world and shows that while effective policy

exists in some countries, there is substantial variation and in many countries

it is not in place or requires significant strengthening.

The World Hepatitis Alliance was commissioned by the WHO to conduct this

research throughout all 193 member states, examining existing policies as well

as areas in which the WHO might assist. The report published today collates

information from 135 countries and highlights a global need to tackle viral

hepatitis with a more unified approach.

Key findings show that:

80% of responding countries regard hepatitis B and/or C as an urgent public

health issue, although only 70% of countries have a national strategy in place

for the prevention and control of viral hepatitis;

While 82% of countries report having hepatitis B and/or C surveillance measures

in place, one-third of countries report that they have no prevalence data

available and more than two-thirds request assistance to improve their

surveillance measures;

Just 41% of all governments report having funded any public awareness campaign

around hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C in the past five years;

Only two in five people live in countries where testing is accessible to more

than half of the population and only 4% of low-income countries report that

testing is accessible. Furthermore, over half of the global population lives in

countries with no provision for free testing;

41% of the global population lives in countries where no government funding

exists for the treatment of hepatitis B or C, with four out of five low income

countries and almost one in three high income countries welcoming assistance to

increase access to treatment

Commenting on the launch of this report Gore, President of the World

Hepatitis Alliance, said " In a world in which there is so much migration it is

hard to see how two highly prevalent, infectious diseases can be prevented and

controlled without a more unified approach. This report provides compelling

evidence that while some governments are winning the battle to combat viral

hepatitis within their national borders many countries have simply not begun to

tackle viral hepatitis B and C, something that will in the long-term undermine

the efforts of other countries. "

The report also shows the majority of governments do not choose to tackle

hepatitis alone, with almost three quarters collaborating with non-state

organizations, most prominently the WHO. Over 90% of all governments report at

least one area in which WHO support would further strengthen efforts to prevent

and control viral hepatitis.

" The WHO commissioned this research to provide a clearer understanding of the

global viral hepatitis policy landscape " explained Dr. Keiji Fukuda, WHO Special

Adviser to the Director-General on Pandemic Influenza. " The responses reveal

significant variations between countries, from those that have not yet begun to

tackle viral hepatitis to those with comprehensive policies to prevent and

control these diseases. What emerges is the need for a more consistent,

coordinated approach and the desire of Members States for support from the WHO

in delivering this. This study provides an important background to the

discussions on viral hepatitis and the adoption of a resolution at the upcoming

63rd World Health Assembly. "

This report has been published exactly one month prior to the start of the 63rd

World Health Assembly at which the first comprehensive resolution on viral

hepatitis will be discussed. The resolution calls for a broad range of action

across surveillance, awareness, prevention, diagnosis, care and access to

treatment. If adopted, it would represent a major step forward in addressing the

needs of the one-twelfth of the global population currently infected and

preventing the ongoing transmission to millions more every year.

Did You Know?

Approximately 500 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis B or C;

This is over 10 times the number infected with HIV/AIDS;

Between them, hepatitis B and C kill one million people a year;

One in every three people on the planet has been exposed to either or both

viruses;

Most of the 500 million infected do not know.

World Hepatitis Alliance

The World Hepatitis Alliance provides global leadership and supports action that

will halt the death toll and improve the lives of people living with chronic

viral hepatitis B and C. Through better awareness, prevention, care, support and

access to treatment, our ultimate goal is to work with governments to eradicate

these diseases from the planet.

The World Hepatitis Alliance is a Non-Governmental Organization representing

more than 280 hepatitis B and C patient groups from around the world. The World

Hepatitis Alliance is governed by a representative board elected by patient

groups from seven world regions: Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, Africa, North

America, Latin America, Australasia and Western Pacific. For further information

visit: www.worldhepatitisalliance.org.

4/20/10

Source

World Hepatitis Alliance. World Hepatitis Alliance Launches First Major Policy

Report on Viral Hepatitis. Press release. April 17, 2010.