The authoritative resource for epidemiological data, modeling tools, training, and decision analytics to support global elimination of hepatitis B and C by 2030

The Problem

Today, an estimated 71 million individuals globally are infected with Hepatitis C virus (HCV), a curable disease that can lead to cirrhosis and liver death. Approximately 400,000 people die each year from causes related to HCV, which can be eliminated through coordinated efforts for prevention and treatment. Unfortunately, as of 2017, only 20% of those infected patients have ever been diagnosed, and, currently, only 2% of total infected patients are being treated for the disease annually. Only 9 countries/territories are currently on track to achieve the WHO HCV elimination targets by 2030.

Who We Are

The Polaris Observatory, an initiative of the non-profit CDA Foundation, provides epidemiological data, modeling tools, training and decision analytics to support eliminating Hepatitis B and C globally by 2030. The observatory offers the most up-to-date estimates for the hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) disease burden and economic impact, and offers strategies for elimination of each virus, along with financing options. An independent advisory board with representatives from global health organizations, academia, civil societies and donors oversees the activities of the observatory.

What We Do

The Polaris Observatory’s teams of epidemiologists work directly with stakeholders in over 100 countries/territories to assess the current – and future – disease burden of hepatitis, model economic impact, and develop strategies that can achieve country/territory-defined targets to eliminate it. By developing partnerships at country/territory and regional levels, the observatory collects and analyzes data for its platform and publishes key findings to enable policies around hepatitis elimination. We have over 65 peer-reviewed journal articles on hepatitis epidemiology and economic impact—in publications such as The Lancet, the Journal of Viral Hepatitis, and the Journal of Medical Economics.

The observatory offers the following tools and services to all countries/territories interested in collaborating:

• HCV disease burden modeling
• HCV economic impact modeling
• HBV vertical transmission (vaccination/treatment), horizontal transmission and disease burden modeling
• HBV economic impact modeling
• Financing hepatitis screening and elimination programs