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500 million people are living with chronic viral hepatitis
Research Revealed on World Hepatitis Day Shows Countries Ill-equipped to Cope With Silent Epidemic
LONDON, July 28, 2013 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- World Hepatitis Alliance calls for urgent action to address disease killing as many as HIV/AIDS
On World Hepatitis Day, the World Hepatitis Alliance has called for urgent attention to be given to recent figures showing that although viral hepatitis kills as many as HIV/AIDS, the great majority of countries have no programmes in place to tackle it.
The Global Burden of Disease study released last year in the Lancet shows that viral hepatitis was responsible for almost 1.45 million deaths in 2010, the same as HIV/AIDS and significantly more than TB or Malaria. Despite this enormous annual death toll, leaders in global health consistently leave it off their agendas.
'Viral hepatitis is the 8th leading cause of death worldwide, killing as many people as HIV/AIDS every single year' says Charles Gore, President of the World Hepatitis Alliance. '500 million people worldwide are chronically infected. In the face of these numbers how is it possible that viral hepatitis receives so little priority across the world?'
Currently, diseases receive attention and funding depending on their global priority. However the global priority list does not necessarily reflect the real burden of disease. This has led to responses that are disproportionate to disease impact, and has left some diseases tragically under-resourced. Viral hepatitis is a clear example; despite its huge burden there is little global pressure to address it. Consequently, the majority of governments have failed to dedicate resources to viral hepatitis, even in countries where prevalence is up to 20%.
The Global Report released by the World Health Organization last week showed the extent to which viral hepatitis is ignored. Only 37% of countries have a national strategy or plan for viral hepatitis, and less than 30% reported having a department responsible solely for viral hepatitis related activities. The lack of response to the world's 8th biggest killer is truly baffling. Not only does it put millions of lives at risk by allowing this silent epidemic to grow, it leaves the 500 million people who are chronically infected wholly abandoned without support or recognition.
In 2010 the World Health Organisation openly recognised that viral hepatitis is a major cause for concern by making World Hepatitis Day one of only 7 world health days officially recognised by WHO and all Member States. However, major changes to the global health landscape are yet to be seen. This World Hepatitis Day, the World Hepatitis Alliance has therefore launched a mass awareness campaign under the theme 'This is hepatitis. Know it. Confront it.' to encourage people to find out more and to confront the silence around the disease.
The Alliance is also co-ordinating a global Guinness World Record attempt for the number of people performing the 'see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil' actions at the same time, actions chosen because in the same way the Three Wise Monkeys ignore the world around them, so the world has been ignoring viral hepatitis. With 58 teams from 25 countries around the world taking part, this is a considerable challenge but with a clear message: viral hepatitis is a silent epidemic. Know it. Confront it.
Notes to the Editor
World Hepatitis Alliance
The World Hepatitis Alliance is a non-governmental umbrella organisation with 165 member patient groups in 66 countries. Representing 500 million people living with viral hepatitis worldwide, the Alliance strives to support and promote patient voices, to raise the profile of viral hepatitis and to establish comprehensive hepatitis strategies in all countries. The World Hepatitis Alliance has been a dominant voice in achieving various successes for people living with hepatitis, including leading the patient community in calling for the WHO resolution on hepatitis. Through better awareness, prevention, care, support and access to treatment, their ultimate goal is to work with governments to eradicate these diseases.
For further information visit: http://www.worldhepatitisalliance.org
World Hepatitis Day
On 28 July 2013, the World Hepatitis Alliance will coordinate the sixth global World Hepatitis Day, one of only four official disease-specific health awareness days recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) and endorsed by its 194 member states. The aim for 2013 is to raise awareness of chronic hepatitis B and C around the globe and to drive policy change for improvements in health outcomes for patients.
Hepatitis B and C
500 million people are living with chronic viral hepatitis. Hepatitis B and C are 'silent' viruses, because people may experience no symptoms. If left untreated and unmanaged, hepatitis B or C can lead to advanced liver scarring (cirrhosis) liver cancer or liver failure.
Contacts
For more information, additional spokesperson quotes or photo requests, please contact:
Hilary Campbell: Hilary.***@****, +44(0)20-7378-0159
SOURCE World Hepatitis Alliance
Copyright (C) 2013 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
LONDON, July 28, 2013 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- World Hepatitis Alliance calls for urgent action to address disease killing as many as HIV/AIDS
On World Hepatitis Day, the World Hepatitis Alliance has called for urgent attention to be given to recent figures showing that although viral hepatitis kills as many as HIV/AIDS, the great majority of countries have no programmes in place to tackle it.
The Global Burden of Disease study released last year in the Lancet shows that viral hepatitis was responsible for almost 1.45 million deaths in 2010, the same as HIV/AIDS and significantly more than TB or Malaria. Despite this enormous annual death toll, leaders in global health consistently leave it off their agendas.
'Viral hepatitis is the 8th leading cause of death worldwide, killing as many people as HIV/AIDS every single year' says Charles Gore, President of the World Hepatitis Alliance. '500 million people worldwide are chronically infected. In the face of these numbers how is it possible that viral hepatitis receives so little priority across the world?'
Currently, diseases receive attention and funding depending on their global priority. However the global priority list does not necessarily reflect the real burden of disease. This has led to responses that are disproportionate to disease impact, and has left some diseases tragically under-resourced. Viral hepatitis is a clear example; despite its huge burden there is little global pressure to address it. Consequently, the majority of governments have failed to dedicate resources to viral hepatitis, even in countries where prevalence is up to 20%.
The Global Report released by the World Health Organization last week showed the extent to which viral hepatitis is ignored. Only 37% of countries have a national strategy or plan for viral hepatitis, and less than 30% reported having a department responsible solely for viral hepatitis related activities. The lack of response to the world's 8th biggest killer is truly baffling. Not only does it put millions of lives at risk by allowing this silent epidemic to grow, it leaves the 500 million people who are chronically infected wholly abandoned without support or recognition.
In 2010 the World Health Organisation openly recognised that viral hepatitis is a major cause for concern by making World Hepatitis Day one of only 7 world health days officially recognised by WHO and all Member States. However, major changes to the global health landscape are yet to be seen. This World Hepatitis Day, the World Hepatitis Alliance has therefore launched a mass awareness campaign under the theme 'This is hepatitis. Know it. Confront it.' to encourage people to find out more and to confront the silence around the disease.
The Alliance is also co-ordinating a global Guinness World Record attempt for the number of people performing the 'see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil' actions at the same time, actions chosen because in the same way the Three Wise Monkeys ignore the world around them, so the world has been ignoring viral hepatitis. With 58 teams from 25 countries around the world taking part, this is a considerable challenge but with a clear message: viral hepatitis is a silent epidemic. Know it. Confront it.
Notes to the Editor
World Hepatitis Alliance
The World Hepatitis Alliance is a non-governmental umbrella organisation with 165 member patient groups in 66 countries. Representing 500 million people living with viral hepatitis worldwide, the Alliance strives to support and promote patient voices, to raise the profile of viral hepatitis and to establish comprehensive hepatitis strategies in all countries. The World Hepatitis Alliance has been a dominant voice in achieving various successes for people living with hepatitis, including leading the patient community in calling for the WHO resolution on hepatitis. Through better awareness, prevention, care, support and access to treatment, their ultimate goal is to work with governments to eradicate these diseases.
For further information visit: http://www.worldhepatitisalliance.org
World Hepatitis Day
On 28 July 2013, the World Hepatitis Alliance will coordinate the sixth global World Hepatitis Day, one of only four official disease-specific health awareness days recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) and endorsed by its 194 member states. The aim for 2013 is to raise awareness of chronic hepatitis B and C around the globe and to drive policy change for improvements in health outcomes for patients.
Hepatitis B and C
500 million people are living with chronic viral hepatitis. Hepatitis B and C are 'silent' viruses, because people may experience no symptoms. If left untreated and unmanaged, hepatitis B or C can lead to advanced liver scarring (cirrhosis) liver cancer or liver failure.
Contacts
For more information, additional spokesperson quotes or photo requests, please contact:
Hilary Campbell: Hilary.***@****, +44(0)20-7378-0159
SOURCE World Hepatitis Alliance
Copyright (C) 2013 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
It is important to realize that the vast majority of people in the world suffer from hepatitis B not C. Hep B is manageable but unfortunately in East Asia and Africa where hep B is an epidemic the people don't have access to treatment medicines and sometimes even vaccinations.
Hepatitis B and to a lesser extent Hep C causes the vast majority of Liver Cancer (HCC) in the world also. 695,000 deaths.
The major risk factors for liver cancer include chronic infection with hepatitis B and C (accounting for 54% and 31% of cases worldwide, respectively), the consumption of foods contaminated with aflatoxin (produced by fungi which can contaminate foodstuffs such as maize and nuts in tropical or sub-tropical countries) and heavy alcohol consumption
According to the World Health Organization (WHO)
"More than 240 million people have chronic (long-term) liver infections. About 600 000 people die every year due to the acute or chronic consequences of hepatitis B.
A vaccine against hepatitis B has been available since 1982. Hepatitis B vaccine is 95% effective in preventing infection and its chronic consequences, and was the first vaccine against a major human cancer.
Geographical distribution
Hepatitis B virus can cause an acute illness with symptoms that last several weeks, including yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Hepatitis B prevalence is highest in sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia. Most people in these regions become infected with the hepatitis B virus during childhood and between 5–10% of the adult population is chronically infected.
High rates of chronic infections are also found in the Amazon and the southern parts of eastern and central Europe. In the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, an estimated 2–5% of the general population is chronically infected. Less than 1% of the population in western Europe and North America is chronically infected."
Transmission
In highly endemic areas, HBV is most commonly spread from mother to child at birth, or from person to person in early childhood.
Perinatal or early childhood transmission may also account for more than one third of chronic infections in areas of low endemicity, although in those settings, sexual transmission and the use of contaminated needles, especially among injecting drug users, are the major routes of infection."
Who is at risk for chronic disease?
The likelihood that infection with the hepatitis B virus becomes chronic depends upon the age at which a person becomes infected. Children less than 6 years of age who become infected with the hepatitis B virus are the most likely to develop chronic infections:
80–90% of infants infected during the first year of life develop chronic infections;
30–50%% of children infected before the age of 6 years develop chronic infections.
In adults:
<5% of otherwise healthy adults who are infected will develop chronic infection;
15–25% of adults who become chronically infected during childhood die from hepatitis B-related liver cancer or cirrhosis.
"The vaccine has an excellent record of safety and effectiveness. Since 1982, over one billion doses of hepatitis B vaccine have been used worldwide. In many countries, where 8–15% of children used to become chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus, vaccination has reduced the rate of chronic infection to less than 1% among immunized children.
As of July 2011, 179 Member States vaccinate infants against hepatitis B as part of their vaccination schedules. This is a major increase compared with 31 countries in 1992, the year that the World Health Assembly passed a resolution to recommend global vaccination against hepatitis B. Furthermore, as of July 2011, 93 Member States have introduced the hepatitis B birth dose.
In addition, implementation of blood safety strategies, including quality-assured screening of all donated blood and blood components used for transfusion can prevent transmission of HBV. Safe injection - unnecessary as well as unsafe injections - practices can protect against HBV transmission. Furthermore, safer sex practices, including minimizing the number of partners and using barrier protective measures (condoms), protect against transmission."
Hector
Hepatitis B and to a lesser extent Hep C causes the vast majority of Liver Cancer (HCC) in the world also. 695,000 deaths.
The major risk factors for liver cancer include chronic infection with hepatitis B and C (accounting for 54% and 31% of cases worldwide, respectively), the consumption of foods contaminated with aflatoxin (produced by fungi which can contaminate foodstuffs such as maize and nuts in tropical or sub-tropical countries) and heavy alcohol consumption
According to the World Health Organization (WHO)
"More than 240 million people have chronic (long-term) liver infections. About 600 000 people die every year due to the acute or chronic consequences of hepatitis B.
A vaccine against hepatitis B has been available since 1982. Hepatitis B vaccine is 95% effective in preventing infection and its chronic consequences, and was the first vaccine against a major human cancer.
Geographical distribution
Hepatitis B virus can cause an acute illness with symptoms that last several weeks, including yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Hepatitis B prevalence is highest in sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia. Most people in these regions become infected with the hepatitis B virus during childhood and between 5–10% of the adult population is chronically infected.
High rates of chronic infections are also found in the Amazon and the southern parts of eastern and central Europe. In the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, an estimated 2–5% of the general population is chronically infected. Less than 1% of the population in western Europe and North America is chronically infected."
Transmission
In highly endemic areas, HBV is most commonly spread from mother to child at birth, or from person to person in early childhood.
Perinatal or early childhood transmission may also account for more than one third of chronic infections in areas of low endemicity, although in those settings, sexual transmission and the use of contaminated needles, especially among injecting drug users, are the major routes of infection."
Who is at risk for chronic disease?
The likelihood that infection with the hepatitis B virus becomes chronic depends upon the age at which a person becomes infected. Children less than 6 years of age who become infected with the hepatitis B virus are the most likely to develop chronic infections:
80–90% of infants infected during the first year of life develop chronic infections;
30–50%% of children infected before the age of 6 years develop chronic infections.
In adults:
<5% of otherwise healthy adults who are infected will develop chronic infection;
15–25% of adults who become chronically infected during childhood die from hepatitis B-related liver cancer or cirrhosis.
"The vaccine has an excellent record of safety and effectiveness. Since 1982, over one billion doses of hepatitis B vaccine have been used worldwide. In many countries, where 8–15% of children used to become chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus, vaccination has reduced the rate of chronic infection to less than 1% among immunized children.
As of July 2011, 179 Member States vaccinate infants against hepatitis B as part of their vaccination schedules. This is a major increase compared with 31 countries in 1992, the year that the World Health Assembly passed a resolution to recommend global vaccination against hepatitis B. Furthermore, as of July 2011, 93 Member States have introduced the hepatitis B birth dose.
In addition, implementation of blood safety strategies, including quality-assured screening of all donated blood and blood components used for transfusion can prevent transmission of HBV. Safe injection - unnecessary as well as unsafe injections - practices can protect against HBV transmission. Furthermore, safer sex practices, including minimizing the number of partners and using barrier protective measures (condoms), protect against transmission."
Hector
Always nice to see your name Elaine.
Hope you are well,
pro
(I still have my rubber fight Hep C bracket on from 2007--same one! I can't believe it hasn't broken yet)
Hope you are well,
pro
(I still have my rubber fight Hep C bracket on from 2007--same one! I can't believe it hasn't broken yet)
It's amazing the percentage of the world population has hepatitis. Hopefully a cure will come soon for everyone.
Thanks for posting this. It made me stop and think about the last four years. Only one doctor caught it, primarily because he was young and new to the medical scene. Well thanks proactive!!!!!! Kitty
Thank you for posting this pro, it is so important .
Today is world hepatitis day.
Hugs to all,
Elaine
Today is world hepatitis day.
Hugs to all,
Elaine
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