Experts recommend comprehensive approach to combat Hepatitis C

LONDON -- A new Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) report titled The Silent Pandemic: Tackling Hepatitis C with Policy Innovation, made possible as a result of an educational grant from Janssen Pharmaceutica NV and published today, highlights the urgent need for countries around the world to develop strategies to tackle head-on the growing social and economic issues associated with Hepatitis C (HCV).[1]

While the total number of infected individuals is unknown due to a lack of available data, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 150 million people globally are currently living with the blood-borne infectious disease, HCV.[2] Of these, up to two thirds will develop chronic liver disease and one in five will develop cirrhosis.[2] HCV is also the leading cause of liver transplantation worldwide ^[1] and in the US the disease now accounts for more deaths than HIV.[1]

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a blood-borne infectious disease that affects the liver.[3][4]With an estimated 150 million people infected worldwide,[2] and three to four million people newly infected each year, HCV puts a significant burden on patients and society.[5] Estimations indicate that HCV caused more than 86,000 deaths and 1.2 million disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in the WHO European region in 2002 (latest data available).[6] Chronic infection with HCV can lead to liver cancer and other serious and fatal liver diseases.[7] About one-quarter of the liver transplantations performed in 25 European countries in 2004 were attributable to HCV (latest data available).[6]

Hepatitic C Infographic

"The report highlights that worldwide, despite the significant burden of HCV, governments have failed to get a grip on the scale and impact of the disease," said Charles Gore, president of The World Hepatitis Alliance. "In both developed and developing countries, the true human and economic cost of HCV will continue to rise unless policy makers confront this urgent public health issue now."

Despite the devastating effects of HCV, the report states that it is now considered preventable and with modern treatments, the majority of suffers can become clear of the virus.[1] The report notes, however, that as few as 10% of patients are currently receiving treatments and there is a large disparity in care across countries.[1] As a resultZapatillas Running Baratas