
Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination
Summary and objectives
Globally, 328 million people are infected with the hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses and millions of new infections occur annually. HBV and HCV cause 1.3 million deaths annually and are the leading cause of mortality from primary liver cancer - the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths globally. If left unchecked, by 2040, deaths from HBV and HCV will exceed the number of deaths from HIV, TB, and malaria combined. The burden of HBV and HCV varies with ~ 25 low and middle income countries (LMIC) shouldering over 75% of HBV and HCV-related deaths. With the availability of reliable tests, highly effective vaccines and curative therapies, the World Health Organization (WHO) has targeted hepatitis B and hepatitis C for elimination. National and sub-national elimination programs are in various stages of planning and implementation. However, public health and clinical data are often not available to guide program development.