Time to Eliminate the World’s Second Deadliest Virus

Cary James is CEO of World Hepatitis Alliance, an international network of over 400 organisations working in more than 120 countries towards the goal of eliminating hepatitis by 2030.

Every year on July 28, World Hepatitis Day serves as a stark reminder of a crisis that is still largely ignored: viral hepatitis is now the second deadliest communicable disease globally, claiming over a million lives annually. These deaths are avoidable. They are the tragic result of inaction, insufficient awareness, and underfunded health responses. In 2025, we must ask ourselves: how many more lives need to be lost before this silent epidemic is taken seriously?

Hepatitis doesn’t discriminate by geography, income, or background. Around 300 million people across the world are living with chronic hepatitis B or C, most unknowingly. In many countries, the majority of people remain undiagnosed until the disease has progressed to cirrhosis or liver cancer—conditions that are at best costly to treat and at worst frequently fatal. The personal suffering is immense, but the societal costs—from lost productivity to the burden on healthcare systems—are just as devastating.

However, we already know what works. Hepatitis B vaccinations have made a significant impact in reducing liver cancer rates in countries with effective programmes. Research from the Center for Disease Analysis Foundation shows that achieving the World Health Organization’s hepatitis elimination targets for testing and treatment could be both life-saving and economically wise, becoming cost-effective or even cost-saving for all countries by 2045.

So why, despite the evidence, is hepatitis still being sidelined?

One reason is stigma. Hepatitis often disproportionately affects already marginalised populations—people who use drugs, sex workers, migrants, and others who may be less likely to visit healthcare facilities. In many settings, fear of discrimination stops people from getting tested or treated. Breaking this stigma requires not just public education but also systemic reform in healthcare delivery.

Another issue is political will. Without vocal leadership and sustained investment, progress will remain fragmented and slow. This World Hepatitis Day, we must demand more from our governments. We need national commitments to increasing access to testing and treatment, particularly in community-based and primary care settings. We must scale up evidence-based prevention services and ensure that care is affordable, high-quality, and people-centred.

Equally important is the role of civil society. Community organisations are often the first line of contact for affected populations and are essential partners in both advocacy and service delivery. Strengthening these networks and fostering innovative partnerships could be a game-changer in the fight against hepatitis.

Eliminating hepatitis is not a faraway dream—it’s an achievable goal. The tools are in our hands: vaccines, testing, effective treatments, and clear public health strategies. What’s missing is urgency and commitment. As the death toll continues to rise, we cannot afford to delay action any longer. Given the UK’s success in hepatitis C elimination and commitment to addressing hepatitis B, it is an opportunity for the UK to strengthen its leadership in global hepatitis elimination.

This World Hepatitis Day, let’s break down the barriers to elimination. Let’s end the silence, fight the stigma, and invest in change. A hepatitis-free future is possible—but only if we commit to make it happen.

Read more about what Action for Global Health is doing to eradicate preventable diseases like hepatitis and improve global health equity in our Stocktake Review.