{"id":8152,"date":"2026-08-17T10:34:55","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T01:04:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/?p=8152"},"modified":"2026-09-03T13:02:38","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T03:32:38","slug":"whd26-elimination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hepatitissa.asn.au\/communitynews\/2026\/08\/whd26-elimination\/","title":{"rendered":"Failing to eliminate hepatitis by 2030 will cost $2.6 billion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Australia faces more than $2.6 billion in avoidable costs by 2030 if it fails to meet national hepatitis B and hepatitis C elimination targets, new modelling released by Hepatitis Australia<\/a> shows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The report warns that unless elimination targets are met, thousands of people will miss out on being cured of hepatitis C, while tens of thousands living with hepatitis B will miss diagnosis, care or treatment, resulting in hundreds of avoidable deaths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Released on World Hepatitis Day, Pathway to Progress: The health and economic gains of 2030 viral hepatitis elimination<\/em> details the cost of inaction. It examines progress toward the National Hepatitis B<\/a> and Hepatitis C targets<\/a> and outlines the associated impacts for people, governments, and society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The estimates combine economic modelling with lived experience insights to capture healthcare outcomes alongside broader effects on wellbeing, workforce participation, and human rights. The report shows that meeting the 2030 targets is cost\u2011effective, with clear benefits for equity, quality of life, and long\u2011term health system sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hepatitis Australia CEO Lucy Clynes said Australia could not afford to lose momentum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFailing to meet our hepatitis elimination targets will cost lives, increase pressure on hospitals and leave Australians carrying billions of dollars in avoidable costs. Hepatitis B can be managed, and hepatitis C can be cured. We have the tools, and we have had excellent engagement from the Federal Government. Now, we must continue to invest so that we can finish the job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat means ensuring people receive the testing, treatment and care that could save their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Hepatitis B and C targets and the progress towards them, from the report [click to enlarge]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Vicki, who was cured of hepatitis C, said that modern hepatitis treatment transformed her life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was frightened by my diagnosis and worried about passing hepatitis C to others. After my partner became seriously ill and died following interferon treatment, it took me 10 years to face my own health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[Then I learned] about the new direct-acting antiviral treatments. They were small tablets taken for 8 to 12 weeks, and then I was cured! After years of fear and uncertainty, it felt like a huge weight had been lifted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have delayed treatment because of what you experienced or heard in the past, things have changed. Support is available, and a cure is possible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Almost 300,000 Australians are living with hepatitis B or hepatitis C, and almost 1,000 are estimated to have died from the conditions in 2023 alone. While Australia has committed to eliminating hepatitis B and hepatitis C as public health threats by 2030, eight of the 10 hepatitis B targets and five of the seven hepatitis C targets are currently off track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The impacts of Hepatitis B and C, measured by target, from the report [click to enlarge]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The modelling, using data from the Doherty Institute and Kirby Institute, found missing the 2030 targets would cost:<\/p>\n\n\n\n