WHO Says Hepatitis Kills 3,500 People Every Day

Hepatitis is the second leading cause of death with 3,500 people losing their lives every day globally, as per the 2024 Global Hepatitis Report by the World Health Organization (WHO) released on Tuesday. The report mentions data from 187 countries reveal that the estimated number of deaths from viral hepatitis increased to 1.3 million in 2022 from 1.1 million in 2019. Out of these, 83% were caused by hepatitis B and 17% by hepatitis C.

Bangladesh, China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, and Vietnam collectively hold-up nearly two-thirds of the global burden of hepatitis B and C. Achieving universal access to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in these nations by 2025, alongside intensified efforts in the African Region, is crucial to bring the global response back on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.

Urgent Need for Diagnosis and Treatment

“This report paints a troubling picture: despite progress globally in preventing hepatitis infections, deaths are rising because far too few people with hepatitis are being diagnosed and treated,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Updated WHO estimates indicate that 254 million people live with hepatitis B and 50 million with hepatitis C in 2022. Half of the burden is among individuals aged 30–54, with 12% among children under 18. Men constitute 58% of all cases.

The report also highlighted that pricing disparities persist globally, with many countries paying above global benchmarks for hepatitis treatment drugs, even for off-patent medications. It also outlines key actions to advance a public health approach to viral hepatitis, aiming to accelerate progress toward ending the epidemic by 2030.

Funding Challenges and Solutions

Insufficient funding for viral hepatitis, both globally and within dedicated countries' health budgets, poses a significant challenge. Limited awareness of cost-saving interventions and competing priorities in global health agendas contribute to this shortfall. The report advocates for strategies to address these inequities and improve access to affordable tools and treatments.