Global progress toward WHO 2030 hepatitis C elimination targets
New research offers a measurable snapshot of how the world is tracking against the World Health Organization’s (WHO) ambitious 2030 goal to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) as a public health threat. While the latest data signal meaningful strides in some regions, they also reveal persistent gaps in reducing HCV incidence and mortality across many countries. The results underscore the need for sustained investment, targeted interventions, and renewed political commitment to reach elimination by 2030.
What the latest data show
Across several regions, researchers report declines in new HCV infections attributable to expanded testing, safer medical practices, and increased access to curative treatments. However, the pace of progress is uneven. In some high-burden countries, incidence remains stubbornly high, and mortality from chronic HCV-related liver disease continues to rise where diagnosis and treatment coverage lag behind need.
Key indicators used by the WHO to gauge progress include incidence reduction, mortality reduction, treatment scale-up, and prevalence of chronic HCV infection. The most hopeful signals come from places that combined broad screening campaigns with rapid, affordable antiviral therapies. In other settings, barriers such as limited healthcare infrastructure, stigma, among at-risk populations (e.g., people who inject drugs, prisoners, and the elderly), and the sustainability of funding strategies impede progress.
Regional disparities and drivers of slow progress
Regional analyses reveal a mosaic of outcomes. Some high-income countries have achieved substantial declines in both new infections and deaths, largely due to universal access to testing and curative regimens. By contrast, several low- and middle-income countries face persistent transmission pockets, with HCV prevalence concentrated in marginalized communities. In these areas, insufficient harm-reduction services, limited syringe access, and gaps in antenatal and blood-safety screening contribute to ongoing transmission cycles.
Diagnostics remain a critical bottleneck. Even where treatment is available, late diagnosis means many individuals enter care too late to prevent morbidity and mortality. Strengthening linkage to care—from community-based testing to affordable, rapid confirmatory testing—emerges as a central priority in the global plan to meet the 2030 target.
What success looks like and where to focus resources
Experts emphasize that success hinges on a multipronged strategy: scalable testing, affordable curative medicines, vaccination development (once available), and robust public health infrastructure. In the near term, the most impactful investments include:
- Expanded mass and targeted screening in high-prevalence populations, paired with confirmatory testing and rapid treatment initiation.
- Ensuring affordable access to direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies, with price reductions and generic options where possible.
- Harm-reduction programs and safe-injecting equipment to curb new infections among people who inject drugs.
- Integration of hepatitis C services into primary health care to improve uptake, reduce stigma, and sustain gains.
- Strengthened surveillance systems to monitor incidence, mortality, treatment outcomes, and emerging drug resistance.
Policy implications and action steps for 2025–2030
The data call for shared accountability among governments, international agencies, civil society, and the private sector. Policymakers should prioritize hepatitis C within national health plans, secure long-term funding for elimination programs, and adopt pragmatic targets aligned with local realities. International cooperation could accelerate procurement of affordable DAAs and support capacity-building in resource-limited settings.
Public communication and community engagement are equally important. Providing accurate information about HCV transmission, the safety of modern treatments, and the effectiveness of cure can reduce stigma and encourage testing and treatment uptake. Transparent reporting of progress and challenges helps hold stakeholders accountable and motivates continuous improvement.
What individuals can do
If you are at risk or have not been tested recently, ask your healthcare provider about hepatitis C testing. Early diagnosis and access to treatment dramatically reduce the risk of liver disease and transmission to others. Support evidence-based programs in your community and advocate for equitable access to care for all populations, especially underserved groups.
Conclusion
The latest research confirms that global progress toward the WHO 2030 hepatitis C elimination targets is real but uneven. While some regions demonstrate meaningful advances, the world still faces significant gaps in incidence and mortality reductions. A renewed, united effort—anchored by universal access to testing and treatment, robust prevention, and resilient health systems—remains essential if the 2030 elimination target is to move from aspiration to achievement.
