The World Health Organization has released extensive new data about the growing burden of hepatitis in the Global Hepatitis Report 2024: Action for access in low- and middle-income countries. Hepatitis is now the second deadliest communicable disease. Hepatitis related deaths increased to 1.3 million in 2022 from 1.1 million in 2019 and every day 3,500 people are dying from viral hepatitis. The report also provides an update on progress made since 2019 in improving access to hepatitis service coverage and access to medicines for hepatitis B and C in low- and middle-income countries. 

With the 2030 elimination goal fast approaching, the new data is a key advocacy tool to push governments to meet the targets. WHA has developed a community briefing summarising the key facts and messages from the report to help advocates as they fight for change for people living with hepatitis.