World Hepatitis Awareness Day October 1, 2006

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World Hepatitis Awareness Day October 1, 2006

Article Date: 27 Sep 2006

" ....Almost 600 million people worldwide are infected with either

hepatitis B or C.....As a disease that affects over half a billion

people worldwide....Now in its third year, World Hepatitis Awareness

Day, which takes place on October 1, 2006, aims to increase awareness

about hepatitis B and C...a possible 86% of people with hepatitis C

are unaware they have it....The good news is that hepatitis C can

actually be cured in many people... "

Copenhagen, Denmark - Sir Bob Geldof today added his voice to that of

hepatitis patient groups, the World Health Organization (WHO)

Regional Office for Europe and the European Association for the Study

of the Liver (EASL) by calling on governments around the world to

prioritise hepatitis. Almost 600 million people worldwide are

infected with either hepatitis B or C, both potentially life-

threatening liver diseases. Of these, 350 million have hepatitis B

despite WHO guidelines released in 19911recomending the addition of

hepatitis B vaccination to all national immunization programmes.

New research from both WHO Europe and the European Liver Patient

Association (ELPA) show inconsistencies in hepatitis testing,

diagnosis and treatment across Europe and beyond. With increased

movement across borders and the knowledge that a possible 86% of

people with hepatitis C are unaware they have it (UK2,3), these

inconsistencies could have a lasting impact on the health of the

global community. This has lead Sir Bob Geldof, WHO Europe and

patient groups from around the globe to call on governments to take

action now before there is an epidemic of liver disease.

Speaking in a pre-recorded message, Sir Bob Geldof highlighted the

importance for those at risk, to get tested: “Stigma, shame and

fear can suffocate awareness. These barriers prevent people from

getting tested, receiving treatment and clearing themselves of this

disease. The thing about the hepatitis C virus is that it does not

cause any obvious symptoms. People can be infected with the virus for

years and not know. This has led to people calling it a silent

disease. The good news is that hepatitis C can actually be cured in

many people. Seek advice from your doctor and ask about the risk

factors for hepatitis C. The worst situation is to be diagnosed when

the disease has progressed too far to be treated.â€

Dr Marc Danzon, Director of WHO Europe recognises the importance of

this global health threat. “Controlling hepatitis poses a

significant challenge in the 21st century, and the number of people

developing serious liver disease as a result of these viral

infections continues to rise. WHO Europe, along with many other

partners, is concerned about the high levels of infection, which in

some areas of the world can be classified as highly endemic.â€

Key findings of the ELPA survey conducted in 15 European countries

include the following:

-- Lack of national strategy: Only 4 of the 15 countries surveyed

(France, Netherlands, Sweden, United Kingdom) have a national

strategy for the prevention and treatment of hepatitis, and fewer

than half reported that government funding was available to support

patient associations in targeted initiatives.

-- Stigma and discrimination: There are alarming levels of stigma and

discrimination associated with viral hepatitis - 10 of the 15

countries reported that people with hepatitis are discriminated

against politically, socially and economically.

-- Screening and diagnosis: While screening is free in 9 of the 15

countries surveyed, government- organized programmes to promote

screening exist only in two countries (France and the Netherlands.)

In addition, 14 of the 15 countries do not run annual screening

programmes. Many countries (e.g. Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina,

Romania and Switzerland) consider screening difficult to access, and

in 5 of the 15 countries patients have to pay for the test.

-- Reimbursement and access to treatment needed: There are large

variations in reimbursement and access to treatment. While many

countries in the ELPA survey reported 100% coverage of hepatitis C

treatment costs, Bosnia and Egypt offered no reimbursement, Belgium

only 85% and Switzerland 90% of costs. According to a recent WHO

Europe survey, Latvia reimburses 75% of hepatitis C treatment costs,

while people with hepatitis in the other former Soviet Union

countries must cover the cost of medication themselves.

Muriel Colinet, President of ELPA explained that “The research

presented today clearly demonstrates the need for a unified European

approach; including free screening across Europe. It is crucial that

anyone who feels that they may be at risk from this virus are tested

as soon as possible.â€

Many pivotal organizations, including WHO Europe, the European

Commission, ELPA and EASL, convened in advance of World Hepatitis

Awareness Day (held annually on Sunday October 1) at the WHO Europe

in Denmark to hear about this new data. Delegates heard of the urgent

need for improved rates of testing and diagnosis as well as access to

treatment in all countries to ensure that hepatitis does not become

the next global epidemic.

Delegates heard from Dr Jean-Michel Pawlotsky, Scientific Secretary

of EASL, who explained that with early diagnosis and treatment, the

majority of hepatitis B and C patients can be treated effectively.

“People with hepatitis C can achieve a sustained viral response,

the clinical equivalent of a cure. Treatment options over the last

decade have improved significantly and it is fundamental that

patients are tested and diagnosed as early as possible if they are to

stand the best chance of clearing the virus. Issues and unresolved

questions remain however, and it is mandatory that basic and clinical

research on viral hepatitis be put very high on the agenda of

worldwide stakeholders including political and funding bodies.â€

In a call to action, Dr Marc Danzon, Director, WHO Europe added “As

a disease that affects over half a billion people worldwide, WHO

Europe believes it is an urgent priority for all stakeholders

including doctors, governments and non-governmental organizations

around the world do more to raise awareness of hepatitis B and C and

to stop the spread of one of the greatest threats to the health of

mankind today.â€

About World Hepatitis Awareness Day

Now in its third year, World Hepatitis Awareness Day, which takes

place on October 1, 2006, aims to increase awareness about hepatitis

B and C. This year, Sir Bob Geldof, WHO Europe, the EASL, ELPA and

approximately 20 international patient organizations are working

together to promote this important educational initiative. The theme

for this year is Get Tested. Both forms of viral hepatitis can lead

to cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver transplantation and yet

hepatitis B can be prevented through immunisation and in many cases,

hepatitis C can be cured. Hence WHO Europe has today released three

hepatitis prevention, treatment and care protocols for the European

Region (available at http://www.euro.who.int/aids).