Viral Hepatitis Policy by World Hepatitis Alliance

StephenW

<http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/2 ... cs/0420_2010_a.html>

HIV and Hepatitis.com Coverage of the
45th Annual Meeting of the European
Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL 2010)
April 14 - 18, 2010, Vienna, Austria

World Hepatitis Alliance Releases Major Report on Viral Hepatitis Policy at
EASL Meeting
   
  SUMMARY: In conjunction with the 45th Annual Meeting of the European
Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL 2010) last week in Vienna, the
World Hepatitis Alliance released its first major policy report on viral
hepatitis, focusing on hepatitis B and C. Based on research commissioned by
the World Health Organization (WHO), the report describes global responses to
the urgent public health issue of viral hepatitis, finding that many counties
lack national prevention and management policies even though 10 times more
people have hepatitis B and C than HIV/AIDS.

   
Below is a press release from the alliance describing the new report. The full
report is available online.

World Hepatitis Alliance Launches First Major Policy Report on Viral Hepatitis
Research commissioned by World Health Organization finds 80% of governments
regard hepatitis B and C as an urgent public health issue
Vienna, Austria -- Saturday, 17 April 2010 -- The World Hepatitis Alliance and
World Health Organization (WHO) today launch a major report "Viral Hepatitis:
Global Policy," at the European Association for the Study of the Liver's
(EASL) International Liver Congress. This unprecedented report captures the
extent of viral hepatitis policies around the world and shows that while
effective policy exists in some countries, there is substantial variation and
in many countries it is not in place or requires significant strengthening.
The World Hepatitis Alliance was commissioned by the WHO to conduct this
research throughout all 193 member states, examining existing policies as well
as areas in which the WHO might assist. The report published today collates
information from 135 countries and highlights a global need to tackle viral
hepatitis with a more unified approach.
Key findings show that:

80% of responding countries regard hepatitis B and/or C as an urgent public
health issue, although only 70% of countries have a national strategy in place
for the prevention and control of viral hepatitis;
While 82% of countries report having hepatitis B and/or C surveillance
measures in place, one-third of countries report that they have no prevalence
data available and more than two-thirds request assistance to improve their
surveillance measures;
Just 41% of all governments report having funded any public awareness
campaign around hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C in the past five years;
Only two in five people live in countries where testing is accessible to more
than half of the population and only 4% of low-income countries report that
testing is accessible. Furthermore, over half of the global population lives
in countries with no provision for free testing;
41% of the global population lives in countries where no government funding
exists for the treatment of hepatitis B or C, with four out of five low income
countries and almost one in three high income countries welcoming assistance
to increase access to treatment
Commenting on the launch of this report Charles Gore, President of the World
Hepatitis Alliance, said "In a world in which there is so much migration it is
hard to see how two highly prevalent, infectious diseases can be prevented and
controlled without a more unified approach. This report provides compelling
evidence that while some governments are winning the battle to combat viral
hepatitis within their national borders many countries have simply not begun
to tackle viral hepatitis B and C, something that will in the long-term
undermine the efforts of other countries."
The report also shows the majority of governments do not choose to tackle
hepatitis alone, with almost three quarters collaborating with non-state
organizations, most prominently the WHO. Over 90% of all governments report at
least one area in which WHO support would further strengthen efforts to
prevent and control viral hepatitis.
"The WHO commissioned this research to provide a clearer understanding of the
global viral hepatitis policy landscape" explained Dr. Keiji Fukuda, WHO
Special Adviser to the Director-General on Pandemic Influenza. "The responses
reveal significant variations between countries, from those that have not yet
begun to tackle viral hepatitis to those with comprehensive policies to
prevent and control these diseases. What emerges is the need for a more
consistent, coordinated approach and the desire of Members States for support
from the WHO in delivering this. This study provides an important background
to the discussions on viral hepatitis and the adoption of a resolution at the
upcoming 63rd World Health Assembly."
This report has been published exactly one month prior to the start of the
63rd World Health Assembly at which the first comprehensive resolution on
viral hepatitis will be discussed. The resolution calls for a broad range of
action across surveillance, awareness, prevention, diagnosis, care and access
to treatment. If adopted, it would represent a major step forward in
addressing the needs of the one-twelfth of the global population currently
infected and preventing the ongoing transmission to millions more every year.
Did You Know?
Approximately 500 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis B or C;
This is over 10 times the number infected with HIV/AIDS;
Between them, hepatitis B and C kill one million people a year;
One in every three people on the planet has been exposed to either or both
viruses;
Most of the 500 million infected do not know.
World Hepatitis Alliance
The World Hepatitis Alliance provides global leadership and supports action
that will halt the death toll and improve the lives of people living with
chronic viral hepatitis B and C. Through better awareness, prevention, care,
support and access to treatment, our ultimate goal is to work with governments
to eradicate these diseases from the planet.
The World Hepatitis Alliance is a Non-Governmental Organization representing
more than 280 hepatitis B and C patient groups from around the world. The
World Hepatitis Alliance is governed by a representative board elected by
patient groups from seven world regions: Europe, Eastern Mediterranean,
Africa, North America, Latin America, Australasia and Western Pacific. For
further information visit: www.worldhepatitisalliance.org.
4/20/10
Source
World Hepatitis Alliance. World Hepatitis Alliance Launches First Major Policy
Report on Viral Hepatitis. Press release. April 17, 2010.



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