Overview
Global efforts to combat viral hepatitis are delivering measurable progress in reducing infections and deaths, but the disease remains a major global health challenge, according to a new World Health Organization (WHO) report released today at the World Hepatitis Summit.
The Global Hepatitis Report 2026 provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the burden and response to hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Together, these infections account for more than 95% of deaths related to viral hepatitis. Despite the availability of effective vaccines, preventive strategies, and curative treatments, viral hepatitis continues to be one of the leading infectious causes of death globally.
A Persistent Global Health Challenge
In 2024, an estimated 287 million people were living with chronic HBV or HCV infection—approximately 3% of the global population. In the same year, 1.8 million new infections were recorded, and 1.3 million people died, primarily due to liver cirrhosis and cancer.
The burden of hepatitis is not evenly distributed. A significant proportion of cases and deaths are concentrated in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in the WHO African and Western Pacific regions. Alarmingly, just 10 countries account for the majority of hepatitis-related deaths, reflecting persistent inequities in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Trends: Signs of Progress, But Uneven
Findings revealed that progress has been made since 2015, though it remains uneven and insufficient to meet global targets.
- New HBV infections declined by 32%, largely due to improvements in immunization and prevention programmes.
- New HCV infections declined by only 8%, far below the 2030 target of an 80% reduction.
- HCV-related deaths decreased by 12%, driven by the scale-up of highly effective direct-acting antivirals (DAAs).
- However, HBV-related deaths increased by 17%, mainly due to limited diagnosis and treatment coverage.
Another important point from the perspective of public health systems is the reduction in HBV prevalence among children under five years, from 0.8% in 2015 to 0.6% in 2024. While this indicates progress, it remains well above the 2030 target of 0.1%, especially in high-burden regions.
Gaps in Coverage and Access
Despite the availability of effective tools, access to hepatitis services remains critically limited.
- Only 27% of people with HBV have been diagnosed, and less than 5% are receiving treatment.
- For HCV, only 20% of those eligible have received treatment since 2015, with 11 million diagnosed individuals still untreated.
- Coverage of hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination remains low in some regions, particularly in Africa, where it stands at just 17%.
- Harm-reduction services are also insufficient, with only 35 needles and syringes distributed per person per year, far below the global target of 300.
These gaps highlight systemic challenges, including limited health system capacity, inequitable resource allocation, and barriers to service delivery in high-burden settings.
Why the World Is Off Track
The report clearly indicates that global progress toward eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030 is off track. Under current trajectories, the target of a 65% reduction in hepatitis-related deaths will not be achieved without rapid scale-up of testing and treatment.
Similarly, achieving a 95% reduction in new HBV infections will require substantial improvements in birth-dose vaccination coverage and stronger interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
Priorities for Accelerated Action
To get back on track, the report outlines five key priorities:
- Scaling up treatment for chronic HBV infection, particularly in high-burden regions
- Expanding access to HCV treatment, especially in underserved populations
- Increasing coverage of hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination
- Strengthening prevention of mother-to-child transmission
- Improving harm-reduction services and safe injection practices
These priorities emphasize the need for integrated, equity-focused approaches that strengthen health systems and ensure access to essential services.
Despite current challenges, the report highlights that elimination remains achievable. Several countries—including Bangladesh, Egypt, Rwanda, and the United Kingdom—have demonstrated that rapid progress is possible with strong political commitment, strategic investment, and effective implementation.
The Global Hepatitis Report 2026 presents a mixed picture: meaningful progress alongside significant gaps. The tools to eliminate viral hepatitis already exist, but they are not reaching the populations that need them most.
Sustained political commitment, increased investment, and a focus on equity will be critical to accelerating progress. Without urgent action, millions of preventable infections and deaths will continue. With it, however, the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030 remains within reach.
- Global Hepatitis Report 2026
- World Malaria Day 2026 | Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must.
- International Wellness Day: Promoting Global Wellness for All
- Summit Declaration: The 12th National Summit of Health and Population Scientists in Nepal
- Joint political declaration on the reform of the global health architecture
