Global strides and remaining gaps in hepatitis C elimination
New research offers a detailed, data-driven view of how the world is advancing toward the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2030 hepatitis C elimination targets. While there are notable gains in some regions, persistent gaps in reducing new infections (incidence) and deaths (mortality) underscore the complexity of eradicating hepatitis C virus (HCV) across diverse health systems and populations.
Key progress highlights
Across several regions, expanded access to testing and treatment has translated into meaningful declines in HCV prevalence in certain cohorts. The latest findings show that where screening programs are paired with affordable antiviral therapies, disease burden is trending downward. In high-income and some middle-income countries, scaled-up diagnosis, rapid initiation of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies, and improved linkage to care have contributed to reductions in incidence and mortality in select urban and at-risk communities.
Public health authorities are also reporting improvements in data collection and surveillance. Better measurement of diagnosed cases, treatment uptake, and sustained virologic response (SVR) rates enables more precise tracking of progress toward the 2030 targets. This improved data quality helps countries tailor interventions to where they are most needed, whether that means ramping up harm-reduction services, expanding birth-cohort screening, or addressing mother-to-child transmission in specific settings.
Persistent barriers to elimination
Despite progress, several obstacles continue to slow universal achievement of the WHO 2030 milestones. Limited access to affordable diagnostics and drugs remains a barrier in many low- and middle-income countries, where out-of-pocket costs or fragmented procurement can deter patients from completing treatment. Stigma, lack of awareness, and fear of discrimination hinder testing uptake in marginalized populations, including people who inject drugs and incarcerated individuals.
Health systems in some regions struggle with the integration of hepatitis C services into primary care, resulting in delays from diagnosis to treatment. Co-management of comorbidities, competing health priorities, and workforce shortages can also impede rapid scale-up of treatment programs. Moreover, the emergence of intermediate or high-risk populations with higher transmission rates requires targeted, culturally competent outreach and sustained funding.
What this means for policy and practice
The current data emphasize the need for a multifaceted strategy to reach the 2030 elimination goals. Key actions include expanding cost-effective screening programs, ensuring universal access to DAAs, and maintaining robust supply chains for diagnostics and medications. Strengthening harm-reduction approaches, increasing vaccination for hepatitis A and B where relevant, and integrating hepatitis C services with other infectious disease programs can broaden reach and efficiency.
To close the remaining gaps, policymakers should prioritize innovative financing mechanisms, regional procurement initiatives, and partnership models that reduce patient costs and streamline care pathways. Local tailoring is essential; what works in one country’s urban center may differ from strategies in rural settings or conflict-affected areas. Continuous monitoring and adaptative program design will be crucial as countries approach the 2030 target horizon.
Looking ahead
With 2030 on the horizon, the trajectory toward hepatitis C elimination will depend on sustained political will, community engagement, and resilient health systems. The latest research provides both a hopeful signal of progress and a clear map of where interventions must intensify. As data collection improves and funding priorities align with high-need areas, the global community can push closer to the WHO’s ambitious but attainable objective of eliminating hepatitis C as a public health threat.
Conclusion
Global progress toward the WHO 2030 hepatitis C targets is uneven but real in several regions where testing, treatment access, and surveillance have strengthened. Addressing remaining barriers with targeted, equitable strategies will be essential to finish the job and achieve lasting reductions in HCV incidence and mortality.
