Europe Risks Missing 2030 Viral Hepatitis Elimination Target
Europe faces significant challenges in achieving the 2030 goal to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat, according to recent data from the ECDC and WHO. Despite progress in prevention, uneven implementation of key measures, low diagnosis rates, and insufficient treatment access across EU/EEA countries are hindering efforts. Millions remain undiagnosed, leading to preventable deaths.
Key Highlights
- Europe is off track to meet WHO's 2030 hepatitis elimination targets.
- Uneven progress in vaccination and harm reduction across European countries.
- Millions in EU/EEA remain undiagnosed for chronic hepatitis B and C.
- Significant gaps in testing and treatment access impede elimination efforts.
- WHO and ECDC urge accelerated action and sustained investment.
- The 2030 target aims for 90% incidence reduction, 65% mortality reduction.
Europe is at serious risk of failing to meet the World Health Organization's (WHO) ambitious target to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. This concerning assessment comes from recent data released by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on World Hepatitis Day, July 28, 2026, and is corroborated by statements from the WHO Regional Office for Europe.
The 2030 elimination goal, established by the World Health Assembly in 2016 through the Global Health Sector Strategy (GHSS), aims for a 90% reduction in new chronic hepatitis B and C infections and a 65% reduction in hepatitis-related deaths, compared to 2015 baseline levels.
While Europe has demonstrated commendable progress in certain areas, particularly in preventing new hepatitis B and C infections, the overall picture reveals significant disparities and persistent challenges. The prevalence of hepatitis B among children under five years old in the region has been reduced to an estimated 0.06%, falling below the global elimination threshold of 0.1%. Acute hepatitis B infections have seen sustained declines since 2006, with cases among people younger than 25 years falling from 11% in 2015 to 8% in 2024. Since 2015, new hepatitis B infections have decreased by 54%, and new hepatitis C infections by 28%. Furthermore, comprehensive screening systems are in place across the EU/EEA to prevent transmission through blood, tissues, or cells, and routine screening for hepatitis B in pregnancy has helped reduce vertical transmission from mother to child to below 2%.
Despite these advancements, the uneven implementation of key prevention measures across European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries remains a critical hurdle. For instance, only nine out of 25 EU/EEA countries have achieved the WHO target of fully vaccinating 95% of children against hepatitis B, with some nations even reporting a decline in coverage in recent years. The ECDC and WHO highlight that millions of Europeans are still living with chronic hepatitis B or C infections, often unaware of their condition, which can lead to severe long-term consequences such as liver failure or liver cancer.
Estimates suggest that approximately five million people in the EU/EEA are living with chronic hepatitis B or C. The burden of undiagnosed cases is particularly high, with over 65% of individuals with hepatitis B and 62% with hepatitis C remaining undiagnosed and therefore not receiving necessary care. This leads to a substantial number of preventable deaths, with nearly 60,000 people dying each year from liver disease linked to these infections in the EU/EEA, according to ECDC data for 2023. The WHO indicates that only 23% of people with hepatitis B have been diagnosed, and a mere 4.2% of those diagnosed are receiving treatment.
Key challenges impeding Europe's progress include gaps in community-level prevention programs, insufficient access to timely diagnosis and effective treatment, and a lack of robust data collection systems in many countries to adequately monitor progress. Additionally, financial and political commitment to supporting comprehensive hepatitis programs is often lacking, and only a minority of countries meet WHO targets for distributing sterile injection equipment, which is crucial for preventing transmission among people who inject drugs.
For an audience in India, this news provides an important global context to the country's own efforts. India launched its National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) in 2018, aligning with the global 2030 elimination targets. India has made significant strides, screening over 21 crore (210 million) individuals and treating more than 6 lakh (600,000) patients since the program's inception. India's program has expanded its treatment centres beyond initial targets, now having 1,153 centres nationwide, including specialized facilities. Moreover, India offers free screening and treatment for Hepatitis B and C, leverages affordable generic drugs, and integrates its program with existing health initiatives like maternal and child health and AIDS control programs to enhance reach and prevention, including achieving over 92% birth-dose coverage for Hepatitis B vaccine under the Universal Immunization Programme.
The challenges faced by European nations underscore the need for sustained political will, increased investment, improved access to testing and treatment, and comprehensive, equitable prevention strategies globally. The WHO calls on countries in the European Region to dismantle barriers to testing and treatment, maintain robust prevention programs, and ensure consistent investment to achieve the 2030 elimination targets. This global effort, aimed at preventing hundreds of thousands of unnecessary deaths, requires renewed commitment from all stakeholders, including governments, civil societies, and pharmaceutical companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2030 target for viral hepatitis elimination?
The 2030 target, set by the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to reduce new chronic hepatitis B and C infections by 90% and hepatitis-related deaths by 65% globally, compared to 2015 baseline levels, thereby eliminating viral hepatitis as a major public health threat.
Why is Europe at risk of missing the 2030 hepatitis elimination target?
Europe risks missing the target due to uneven implementation of prevention measures, such as varying hepatitis B vaccination coverage in children across countries. Additionally, there are significant gaps in diagnosing chronic hepatitis B and C infections and ensuring access to treatment for those diagnosed. Millions remain undiagnosed and untreated, contributing to preventable liver disease and deaths.
What progress has Europe made in combating viral hepatitis?
Europe has made notable progress in preventing new infections, especially with hepatitis B vaccination, which has brought the prevalence among children under five to near-zero. There have also been declines in acute hepatitis B and C infections. Efforts in blood and injection safety, along with routine screening in pregnancy, have also shown positive results.
What are the main challenges hindering Europe's progress?
The primary challenges include inconsistent vaccination coverage, particularly for children; a large number of undiagnosed individuals with chronic infections; limited access to comprehensive testing and treatment services; and gaps in community-level prevention efforts. Lack of sustained political commitment, insufficient funding, and inadequate data collection systems also contribute to these difficulties.
How does India's approach to viral hepatitis compare to Europe's challenges?
India's National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP), launched in 2018, aims for similar 2030 elimination targets. India has shown significant progress in screening over 210 million people and treating more than 600,000 patients, offering free screening and treatment, utilizing affordable generic drugs, and expanding services through a large network of treatment centers and integration with existing health programs. While both regions face challenges, India's integrated and decentralized approach, alongside high vaccination coverage, provides a contrasting perspective to Europe's uneven implementation issues.
