The WHO has urged governments and partners to take immediate action to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health risk. They also want to decrease the number of deaths caused by liver cancer. Every 30 seconds, one person dies from liver cancer related to hepatitis. The types of viral hepatitis are classified as A, B, C, D, and E. Of these, only hepatitis B, C, and D cause chronic infections that will increase the risk of liver failure, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. But most of the hepatitis patients were unaware that they had this disease. Every year, 1.3 million individuals die due to liver cancer and cirrhosis, while hepatitis affects 300 million people worldwide.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently named Hepatitis D in the category of hepatitis B and C as carcinogenic to humans. Individuals with hepatitis B are also diagnosed with hepatitis D, which increases the risk of liver cancer when compared with hepatitis B. The WHO is monitoring clinical results daily for any advanced treatment options for hepatitis D. The organization released comprehensive guidelines to diagnose hepatitis B and D in 2024.
Hepatitis B patients require a daily oral medication with lifelong monitoring, whereas hepatitis C treatment typically lasts two to three months. Expanding and integrating hepatitis treatments into national health systems as early as possible is an effective option in reducing cancer death cases. The number of countries that accepted national hepatitis action plans increased from 59 to 123 in 2025. The number of nations with hepatitis B testing programs for pregnant women is expected to increase from 106 to 129 by 2025. The number of nations that implemented a birth immunization program for hepatitis B has increased from 138 to 147 in 2022.
Only 13% of individuals with hepatitis B and 36% with hepatitis C were diagnosed by 2022, which suggests that test and treatment coverage were on the extremely low side. As per data, around 80 nations have integrated hepatitis services into primary health care, and 128 nations have integrated HIV programs. Only 27 nations integrated hepatitis C services into harm reduction centres.
According to WHO’s targets, worldwide, 9.8 million new cases will be prevented, and this will save 2.8 million lives by 2030. WHO collaborated with the World Hepatitis Alliance and Rotary International to improve local and international awareness and promotion. The collaboration highlighted the important role of government, civil society, and community leaders in accelerating hepatitis elimination.
Reference: World Health Organization. WHO urges action on hepatitis, announcing hepatitis D as carcinogenic. News release, Geneva. Published on 28 July 2025. Accessed on 29 July 2025. WHO urges action on hepatitis, announcing hepatitis D as carcinogenic
