Developing a comprehensive strategy to eradicate viral hepatitis in the Western Pacific and South East Asia regions

Hepatitis B infection is one of the most neglected global pandemics disproportionately impacting the lives of people living in the Asia and Pacific regions. The infection can be prevented with a safe and effective three-shot hepatitis B vaccine. However, hundreds of millions of people have not been vaccinated and 350 million have become chronically infected. Without access to proper medical care or antiviral treatment, one in four chronically infected persons will die prematurely from liver cancer or liver failure caused by hepatitis B. Over 266 million individuals living in the Asia and Pacific region are chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus. In China alone, 95-120 million people are chronically. Yet there is no regional or national campaign to raise awareness and knowledge about the prevention, transmission and management of chronic hepatitis B. The mission and goal of this new global initiative are to create a sustainable global coalition to eliminate the transmission of viral hepatitis especially hepatitis B and the reduce the complications and suffering associated with chronic viral hepatitis through advocacy, regional and country wide awareness and education campaigns, access to free and low cost vaccination and affordable treatment, elimination of discrimination and stigma, and by sharing best practices and development of regional and country-specific goals. The initiative plans to partner with China to launch the first major hepatitis B education and awareness campaign in an effort to achieve many of the above. The potential impact is great, and tens of millions of lives could be positively affected.