Global Hepatitis Deaths Drop 12% as Countries Close In on Cure

The world is making real progress against viral hepatitis, a disease that still claims 1.34 million lives each year but is finally losing ground to coordinated global action.

Since 2015, new hepatitis B infections have dropped by 32% worldwide, while hepatitis C deaths have fallen by 12%. Perhaps most encouraging, 85 countries have already achieved or surpassed the 2030 target for reducing hepatitis B in children under five, bringing rates down to just 0.6%.

"Around the world, countries are showing that eliminating hepatitis is not a pipedream," said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General. The gains reflect nearly a decade of sustained effort following the adoption of elimination targets in 2016.

The toolkit for beating hepatitis is remarkably effective. The hepatitis B vaccine protects more than 95% of people who receive it, while a simple 8 to 12 week treatment can cure more than 95% of hepatitis C infections.

Egypt, Georgia, Rwanda, and the United Kingdom are leading the way, demonstrating what's possible when countries commit resources and political will to the fight. Their success stories offer a roadmap for other nations still struggling with high infection rates.

The challenges that remain are solvable. In the WHO African Region, only 17% of newborns currently receive the hepatitis B birth dose vaccination, despite accounting for 68% of new infections. Expanding access to that simple intervention could save countless lives.

Of the 240 million people living with chronic hepatitis B in 2024, fewer than 5% are receiving treatment. Only 20% of people with hepatitis C have been treated since the highly effective cure became available in 2015.

The Ripple Effect

When countries invest in hepatitis elimination, the benefits extend far beyond individual patients. Strong hepatitis programs strengthen primary care systems, making them better equipped to handle other health challenges too.

The progress also demonstrates what's possible when the global health community unites around clear, measurable targets. The same coordinated approach that's working against hepatitis can serve as a model for tackling other preventable diseases.

People who inject drugs account for 44% of new hepatitis C infections, highlighting how harm reduction services protect entire communities. When one vulnerable population gets the care they need, transmission rates drop for everyone.

The path forward requires scaling up birth dose vaccinations in Africa, expanding treatment access globally, and integrating hepatitis services into primary care so they're easy to reach. The tools exist, the strategies are proven, and 85 countries have already shown it works.

Every prevented infection today means fewer families facing loss tomorrow, and the momentum is finally moving in the right direction.