Global elimination of viral hepatitis as a public health threat: Promoting diagnosis and treatment is the key to reducing mortality

According to Global progress report on HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections, 2021 - Accountability for the global health sector strategies 2016-2021: Actions for impact, released by WHO on May 20, 2021, there is still an estimated number of 296 million people with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and 58 million people with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in 2019. Among the individuals with chronic infections, only 30.4 million (10%) of those with chronic HBV infection were diagnosed, among whom 6.6 million (22%) received antiviral therapy. Globally, 15.2 million (21%) of those with HCV infection have been diagnosed, among whom 9.4 million (62%) received antiviral therapy. Although significant progress has been made in eliminating viral hepatitis globally by 2020, there is still a large gap from the 2030 goal, and global attention should be paid to eliminating viral hepatitis and promoting the diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis. WHO and all regions should continue to support the elimination of viral hepatitis, and meanwhile each member state should also actively implement the elimination of viral hepatitis, promote national strategies for diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible, and improve the coverage of diagnosis and treatment.