Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and C virus (HCV) infections are a major public health issue globally. The World Health Organization estimates that an estimated 58 million people have chronic HCV infection, with 1.5 million new infections each year and 290 000 deaths, mostly from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (1). The focus of this year’s World Hepatitis Day is ‘We’re not waiting’, described as ‘a call to accelerate elimination efforts of viral hepatitis now and the urgent need for testing and treatment for the real people who need it’ (https://www.worldhepatitisday.org/.) This is particularly relevant to imprisoned populations across the world who not only have higher rates of Hepatitis B and C than populations in the community, (2) but are less likely to be able to access effective prevention and treatment.
In this theme issue, WEPHREN is highlighting work being done in prisons across England to tackle hepatitis B and C infections and also the global work undertaken by INHSU Prisons.
Listen to Mo speak about his experience with Hepatitis C
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UKHSA and Hepatitis C Trust work in prisons in England
There’s a great deal being done in England and the blog, Taking a place-based approach to tackling hepatitis in prisons - UK Health Security Agency (blog.gov.uk) outlines the multiagency, multifaceted work in prisons there. In addition, the Hepatitis C Trust does a great deal of work in valuable prisons in England and the organisation has shared a number of resources they have prepared for Hepatitis. They have been running a writing and an art competition and we hope we will be able to showcase the winning entries when they are announced!