The status of national and global hepatitisC elimination

Abstract

In 2016, the World Health Organization propagated the elimination of hepatitisC virus (HCV) by 2030 in order to address the public health threat posed by viral hepatitis. This article looks at the progress that has been made globally and in Germany since 2016. Aselective literature search was conducted, with particular focus on studies and reviews relating to the elimination of hepatitisC infection both globally and in Germany. In 2020, 56.8 million HCV infections were counted worldwide, which corresponds to a decline of 6.8 million since 2015. Countries that made asignificant contribution to the elimination figures during this period included Egypt, Georgia, and Iceland, which were able to drastically reduce the number of HCV infections by means of national commitment in politics and healthcare. With regard to the status of elimination in Germany, the inclusion of screening for viral hepatitis in the general health check-up ("Check-up35") in 2022/2023 has led to asignificant increase in HCV case numbers. Globally and in Germany, men who have sex with men, intravenous drug users, migrants, and prison inmates are particularly vulnerable groups with regard to HCV infection. In order to sustainably eliminate HCV, it is necessary to optimize education and prevention strategies in risk groups. With regard to the subgroup of prison inmates, political measures must be used to create a standardized approach in prison medicine. At a global level, elimination in low- and middle-income countries needs to be promoted in the future.