19 May 2010 marks the third World Hepatitis day, a patient-led initiative, under the umbrella of the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) which represents 200 patients groups and organisations. The aim of the initiative is to raise awareness of issues around hepatitis B and C, as well as advocating for political support in fighting these diseases.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) considers prevention, surveillance and control of hepatitis B and C to be of high importance, as these two diseases place a heavy burden of disease on citizens in the European Union. Hepatitis B and C affect a very high number of people, certain groups, such as injecting drug users, men who have sex with men, people living with HIV, and inmates are at higher risk for infection.
Accurate and comparable data from across the EU as well as evidence on effective interventions represent the basis for an evidence-based policy process. ECDC is currently conducting a survey to collect and validate detailed information on existing surveillance systems and prevention programmes in the EU to obtain a profound base for further activities in this field.
ECDC info sheet – Hepatitis B and C – World Hepatitis Day 2010
Read more:
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B – Factsheet for the general public
Hepatitis C
Programme on HIV, STI and blood-borne viruses
Hepatitis B disease;Hepatitis C disease;HIV; STI and blood-borne viruses;