World Hepatitis Day – One life, one liver
As we mark World Hepatitis Day, it is essential to raise awareness about this global health issue. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, either induced by viral infection or non-infectious causes, all leading to a range of health problems that can be fatal. However, with increased knowledge, prevention, and treatment, we have the power to prevent and effectively cure this disease.
There are five main strains of the hepatitis virus, A, B, C, D and E, each with its own transmission routes, symptoms, and potential long-term consequences.
Thanks to science, some types of hepatitis are preventable through vaccination. For hepatitis A and B, safe and effective vaccines are available. As our liver is a vital organ, and we only have one, I would like to remind people to get vaccinated, in particular those at high risk of infection. For Hepatitis A, these are people living or travelling in low- and middle-income countries where access to clean water sources is not always reliable and where there is an increased risk of contaminated food. For hepatitis B, the particular risk groups are men who have sex with men, intravenous drug users, and healthcare professionals.
Hepatitis continues to affect millions. An estimated 354 million people worldwide live with chronic hepatitis B or C, and while some people recover on their own, others develop a life-threatening infection or go on to develop liver cirrhosis or liver cancer. Few of these patients can potentially have their life saved by a liver transplantation. This will not only mean being on a waiting list for a suitable donor but will have a severe, life-long impact on individuals and their families.
For those already infected, effective treatments play a vital role in managing hepatitis. With advancements in medical research, innovative therapies have emerged, offering hope and improved outcomes for patients. Treatments for chronic hepatitis B infection can slow the progression to cirrhosis, reduce incidence of liver cancer and improve long term survival. Over the last 10 years, the introduction of direct-acting antiviral medications also revolutionised hepatitis C treatment. These highly effective and well-tolerated medicines can cure the infection in a relatively short period, with success rates exceeding 95%. Research never stops and in 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, EMA’s human medicines committee, the CHMP, recommended the approval of the first treatment for the infection in adult patients with chronic hepatitis D virus.
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In the fight against hepatitis, collaboration between governments, healthcare providers, healthcare payers, and pharmaceutical companies to improve treatment availability and equity is a critical aspect of achieving global health goals.
Liver transplantation can be life-changing, but it is resource demanding and it can never address the public health needs of this disease. Effective medicines, both for prevention and treatment, are better solutions. Successful treatment relies on early detection of hepatitis infections to enable timely intervention. Good screening programmes for people at risk, especially those in marginalised and underserved communities, are essential, as is access to life-saving medications, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
On World Hepatitis Day, I call on all decision-makers to come together to eliminate hepatitis – increase screening, educate healthcare professionals and patients, and facilitate vaccination and access to effective treatments. We have the right tools, but now it’s up to us to use them to their full potential.