Global Progress in Hepatitis Elimination Falls Short of 2030 Targets, WHO Reports
Bangkok, April 28, 2026 — The world has made measurable strides in combating viral hepatitis, but current efforts remain insufficient to meet the 2030 elimination targets set by the World Health Organization (WHO), according to a new report released today at the World Hepatitis Summit in Bangkok. While global infections and deaths have declined, hepatitis B and C continue to claim over 1.3 million lives annually, underscoring the urgent need for accelerated action in prevention, testing, and treatment.
As a physician and health journalist with over a decade of experience in infectious disease reporting, I’ve witnessed firsthand how public health campaigns can transform outcomes—yet also how persistent gaps in access and equity can undermine progress. The latest WHO data reveals both encouraging trends and stark disparities, offering a roadmap for what must change if the world is to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat.
The Global Burden: Lives Lost and Gaps in Care
Viral hepatitis B and C, which account for 95% of hepatitis-related deaths worldwide, remain a leading cause of mortality. In 2024 alone, these infections claimed 1.34 million lives, with hepatitis B responsible for 1.1 million deaths and hepatitis C for 240,000, according to the 2026 Global Hepatitis Report. Liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (a form of liver cancer) were the primary causes of death, with the highest mortality rates concentrated in the WHO African and Western Pacific regions.
The report also highlights the alarming rate of new infections: 4,900 people are infected with hepatitis B or C every day, totaling 1.8 million new cases annually. Of the 287 million people living with chronic hepatitis B or C in 2024, fewer than 5% of those with hepatitis B and only 20% of those with hepatitis C have received treatment. These gaps in care are particularly pronounced in low- and middle-income countries, where weak health systems and stigma prevent millions from accessing life-saving interventions.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized the dual reality of progress and stagnation: “Around the world, countries are showing that eliminating hepatitis is not a pipedream—it’s possible with sustained political commitment, backed by reliable domestic financing. At the same time, this report shows that progress is too slow and uneven. Many people remain undiagnosed and untreated due to stigma, weak health systems, and inequitable access to care.”
Regional Disparities: Where the Crisis Is Worst
The burden of hepatitis is not evenly distributed. The WHO African Region accounted for 68% of new hepatitis B infections in 2024, yet only 17% of newborns in the region received the critical hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination, which can prevent mother-to-child transmission. Meanwhile, people who inject drugs represented 44% of new hepatitis C infections globally, highlighting the urgent need for harm reduction services, such as needle exchange programs and opioid substitution therapy.
Ten countries bore the brunt of hepatitis B-related deaths in 2024, accounting for 69% of the global total: Bangladesh, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, the Philippines, South Africa, and Viet Nam. Hepatitis C-related deaths were more geographically dispersed, with the top ten countries—including the United States, Japan, and Pakistan—responsible for 58% of fatalities. These disparities reflect broader inequities in healthcare access, with marginalized communities, including people who use drugs, incarcerated populations, and migrants, facing the highest barriers to diagnosis and treatment.
Proven Solutions: Tools That Work—If Deployed
Despite these challenges, the report underscores that elimination is achievable. Highly effective tools already exist, and countries like Egypt, Georgia, Rwanda, and the United Kingdom have demonstrated that sustained investment and political will can drive dramatic progress. Key interventions include:
- Hepatitis B Vaccination: The hepatitis B vaccine, which protects more than 95% of recipients against both acute and chronic infections, has been a cornerstone of prevention efforts. Since its introduction, global coverage has expanded, with 85 countries achieving or surpassing the 2030 target of reducing hepatitis B prevalence among children under five to 0.1%.
- Antiviral Treatment for Hepatitis B: Long-term antiviral therapy can effectively manage chronic hepatitis B, reducing the risk of liver cirrhosis and cancer. However, treatment rates remain alarmingly low, particularly in high-burden regions.
- Curative Therapy for Hepatitis C: A 12-week course of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) can cure more than 95% of hepatitis C infections. Since these treatments became widely available in 2015, they have revolutionized care—but only 20% of those infected have accessed them.
Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, Director of the WHO Department for HIV, TB, Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Infections, stressed the human cost of inaction: “The data shows that progress is possible but also reveals where we are falling short. Every missed diagnosis and untreated infection due to chronic viral hepatitis represents a preventable death. Countries must move faster to integrate hepatitis services into primary care and reach the communities most affected.”
What’s Needed to Close the Gap
The WHO report outlines a series of priority actions to accelerate progress toward elimination by 2030. These include:
- Scaling Up Treatment: Expanding access to antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis B, particularly in the African and Western Pacific regions, and increasing hepatitis C treatment coverage in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
- Strengthening Vaccination Programs: Improving coverage of the hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine and expanding antiviral prophylaxis to prevent mother-to-child transmission, with a focus on the African Region.
- Enhancing Harm Reduction: Strengthening harm reduction services for people who inject drugs, including needle and syringe programs and opioid substitution therapy, to reduce hepatitis C transmission.
- Improving Injection Safety: Ensuring safe injection practices in healthcare settings and communities to prevent the spread of both hepatitis B and C.
- Boosting Political Commitment and Financing: Mobilizing domestic and international funding to support hepatitis elimination programs, particularly in low-resource settings.
The report also calls for greater integration of hepatitis services into primary healthcare systems, which can improve access and reduce stigma. In many countries, hepatitis testing and treatment are still siloed in specialized clinics, creating barriers for those who need care most.
Success Stories: Countries Leading the Way
While the global picture is sobering, several countries have made remarkable progress, offering blueprints for others to follow. Egypt, once home to one of the highest hepatitis C burdens in the world, has treated over 4 million people since 2014, reducing prevalence by more than 90%. The country’s success stems from a combination of mass screening campaigns, subsidized treatment, and strong political leadership.
Similarly, Georgia has made significant strides in hepatitis C elimination, with a national program that has cured over 90% of those diagnosed. The United Kingdom has also made progress, with a 30% reduction in hepatitis C-related deaths since 2015, thanks to expanded treatment access and harm reduction initiatives.
These examples demonstrate that elimination is possible—but only with sustained commitment, adequate funding, and a focus on equity. As Dr. Tedros noted, “We have the tools to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat. What we need now is the will to use them.”
Key Takeaways: What You Need to Grasp
- Global Progress: New hepatitis B infections have dropped by 32% since 2015, and hepatitis C-related deaths have fallen by 12%, but current rates of progress are insufficient to meet the 2030 elimination targets.
- Lives Lost: Hepatitis B and C claimed 1.34 million lives in 2024, with liver cirrhosis and cancer as the leading causes of death.
- New Infections: Over 4,900 people are infected with hepatitis B or C every day, totaling 1.8 million new cases annually.
- Treatment Gaps: Fewer than 5% of people with chronic hepatitis B and only 20% of those with hepatitis C have received treatment.
- Regional Disparities: The WHO African Region accounts for 68% of new hepatitis B infections but has the lowest vaccination coverage for newborns.
- Proven Solutions: Vaccination, antiviral therapy, and curative treatments for hepatitis C are highly effective but remain underutilized in many parts of the world.
What Happens Next?
The World Hepatitis Summit, which runs from April 28 to 30 in Bangkok, will bring together global health leaders, policymakers, and advocates to discuss strategies for accelerating progress. Key topics include financing elimination programs, integrating hepatitis services into primary care, and addressing stigma and discrimination. The next WHO Global Hepatitis Report, expected in 2027, will provide an updated assessment of progress toward the 2030 targets.
For those seeking more information, the full 2026 WHO Global Hepatitis Report is available online, along with resources on prevention, testing, and treatment. National health ministries and organizations like the World Hepatitis Alliance also offer guidance for individuals and communities affected by hepatitis.
As we move forward, the message from global health leaders is clear: hepatitis elimination is within reach, but only if the world acts with urgency, equity, and resolve. The tools exist—now is the time to use them.
What steps do you suppose are most critical to closing the gap in hepatitis elimination? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and help raise awareness by sharing this article with your network.