An analysis of data from the Global Burden of Diseases Study (2019) revealed that hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related chronic liver disease (CLD) deaths surpassed those caused by HBV in 2019 (536,833 vs 523,003) and are projected to remain higher by 2030 (689,124 vs 628,824). East Asia exhibited the highest burden of HBV and HCV during the study period, while Western Sub-Saharan Africa and Eastern Sub-Saharan Africa reported the largest age-standardized death rates in 2019 for HBV and HCV, respectively. By 2030, South Asia and East Asia are predicted to experience the highest number of CLD deaths related to HBV and HCV, with Eastern Europe and South Asia expected to see the largest increases in disease burden.

Despite a decline in CLD mortality rates from 1990 to 2019, the total number of deaths is projected to rise until 2030, with no region on track to meet the World Health Organization target of a 65% reduction in HBV and HCV mortality. This highlights the need for enhanced global efforts in vaccination, screening, and treatment, particularly in emerging hotspot regions. The authors suggest that governments and international organizations must prioritize interventions to address the rising burden and reduce future mortality rates.

Reference: Ou TY, Huy LD, Mayne J, et al. Global mortality of chronic liver diseases attributable to Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus infections from 1990 to 2019 and projections to 2030. J Infect Public Health. 2024;17(7):102443. doi: 10.1016/j.jiph.2024.04.027.