Publication

Summary

This past May 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) Member States endorsed the first “Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis 2016-2021” at the 69th World Health Assembly. This strategy will contribute to the achievement of the Health Goals set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Member States in the Americas have been working toward meeting the Strategy’s ambitious goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. A major milestone was the September 2015 approval of the regional Plan of Action for the Prevention and Control of Viral Hepatitis, which serves as a guide for action and scaling up of a public health response to viral hepatitis, addressing crosscutting issues in a comprehensive manner.

The evidence indicates that viral hepatitis in our Region is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. While the burden of other communicable diseases has declined in the past decade, that related to viral hepatitis has increased. In this rapidly evolving and competitive health arena, we will need to be more strategic and exploit effective innovations in the area of viral hepatitis. With a focus on health system strengthening, taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the integration of services in primary health care and available maternal and child health care programs will be critical for a sustainable and efficient public health response to viral hepatitis. It is clear that the challenges for countries include increasing financial investment and addressing pricing issues related to viral hepatitis treatment. Through its Strategic Fund, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is working with countries to facilitate access to medicines for the treatment of viral hepatitis as part of its role in ensuring that affordable, quality assured medicines are available in countries, in the required presentation and the quantities needed.

It is also clear that the collaboration of national governments with other sectors such as academia, private enterprise, and affected communities will need to be galvanized for successful progress towards elimination goals.

In the fast changing and exciting landscape of new evidence, norms, and actions occurring as we write, this report provides a regional baseline reference for the epidemic and the current response. PAHO, in its role of actively supporting countries in their public health response, will continue to monitor progress. This report constitutes the first in a series that will present lessons learned and highlight areas for special attention and joint action in our countries as we pave the way for ending the hepatitis B and C epidemics in our Region.

Countries: United States