Author information
1 Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, Australia.
2 School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne 3004, Australia.
3 Alfred Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne 3004, Australia.
4 Doherty Institute and Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3000, Australia.
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus is a global public health threat, affecting 71 million people worldwide. Increasing recognition of the impact of this epidemic and recent advances in biomedical and technical approaches to hepatitis C prevention and cure have provided impetus for the World Health Organization (WHO) to call for global elimination of hepatitis C as a public health threat by 2030. This work reviews the feasibility of hepatitis C elimination and pathways to overcome existing and potential future barriers to elimination. Drawing on cost-effectiveness modeling and providing examples of successful implementation efforts across the globe, we highlight the resources and strategies needed to achieve hepatitis C elimination. A timely, multipronged response is required if the 2030 WHO elimination targets are to be achieved. Importantly, achieving hepatitis C elimination will also benefit the community well beyond 2030.