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Hepatitis B and C: WHO calls for intensified global action on July 28
Herz — World Desk · · 30s summary · 2 min read
The essentials
On World Hepatitis Day, July 28, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for strengthened research, screening, treatment access, and political commitment in the fight against hepatitis B and C. According to the WHO, 287 million people worldwide currently live with chronic hepatitis B or C. Hepatitis B alone is responsible for 1.1 million deaths annually—more than double the death toll from malaria. Despite curative treatments being available since 2015, only approximately 20% of hepatitis C patients have received treatment. A major breakthrough occurred in spring 2026, when Chinese researchers achieved the first functional cure of hepatitis B.
- WHO calls for more research and screening against hepatitis B and C.
- 287 million people worldwide live with chronic hepatitis B or C.
- Hepatitis B kills 1.1 million people annually, more than double malaria deaths.
- Only 20% of hepatitis C patients have been treated since 2015.
- Chinese researchers achieved the first functional cure of hepatitis B in spring 2026.
What we know
On World Hepatitis Day, July 28, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for strengthened research, screening, treatment access, and political commitment in the fight against hepatitis B and C.
According to the WHO, 287 million people worldwide currently live with chronic hepatitis B or C.
287 million
people with chronic hepatitis B or C worldwide
1.1 million
annual deaths from hepatitis B
240,000
annual deaths from hepatitis C
~20%
hepatitis C patients treated since 2015
Hepatitis B: deadlier than malaria
Hepatitis B represents the heavier disease burden of the two. Approximately 240 million people are affected, and it causes 1.1 million deaths annually—more than double the mortality from malaria.
Hepatitis B1100000
Hepatitis C240000
Hepatitis C: curable since 2015, but undertreated
Hepatitis C causes approximately 240,000 deaths annually worldwide. Since 2015, the vast majority of cases are curable thanks to available treatments. Yet only about 20% of patients have received treatment since then, according to the WHO.
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