WHO Report Unveils Alarming Trends

• 15 Apr 2024

On 9th April 2024, the World Health Organization's Global Hepatitis Report sheds light on India's significant burden of viral hepatitis, raising concerns despite decreasing incidence.

Key Points

• Global Burden of Viral Hepatitis: Despite a decline in new cases globally, viral hepatitis remains a major public health concern, claiming 1.3 million lives in 2022.
• India's Disturbing Statistics: India ranks second globally in viral hepatitis prevalence, with over 11% of the burden, trailing only China.
• Low Diagnosis and Treatment Rates: The report highlights alarmingly low diagnosis and treatment rates for hepatitis B and C in India, posing challenges in disease management.
• Transmission and Impact: Hepatitis B and C, primarily blood-borne, pose significant health risks, including liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
• Prevention and Treatment: While hepatitis B can be prevented through vaccination, and hepatitis C can be cured with medication, access to diagnosis and treatment remains limited in India.
• Challenges in Control: India faces challenges in ensuring universal vaccination, timely treatment initiation, and effective management of viral hepatitis cases.
• Comparative Response: Disparities exist between viral hepatitis and tuberculosis (TB) control efforts, with hepatitis receiving less attention despite comparable mortality rates.