In the midst of the measles outbreak, changes to vaccination policy and ongoing attacks on vaccines in the federal government, and the upcoming respiratory season, it’s easy to forget about other common infectious disease threats in our communities. One of these includes the five types of viral hepatitis, the leading cause of liver cancer, the sixth leading cancer in the world and one that will affect about 1% of Americans in their lifetime.
A study published July 28 in The Lancet found that liver cancer is expected to double by the year 2050, which could be significantly offset if the World Health Organization achieves its goal of eliminating hepatitis by the year 2030.
In addition to recent news about hepatitis — such as the World Health Organization’s declaration of hepatitis D to be carcinogenic — there are plenty of explainers and investigative or enterprise stories to be done on the disease.
Here’s an overview of what to know and story ideas to consider.
Brief overview of hepatitis
There are five types of viral hepatitis: A, B, C, D and E. Each is caused by a different virus. Here are some quick facts:
- Vaccines exist for hepatitis A and B. Research is ongoing for hepatitis C vaccines, which has a number of challenges.
- A common method of hepatitis B transmission is from mother to child during pregnancy and birth, which is the biggest reason for the hepatitis B vaccination recommendation at birth in the U.S. In light of the rapid rise of congenital syphilis cases in the U.S., it’s helpful to know that a triple diagnostic test now exists that can test HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B together.
- Hepatitis A and E will usually clear on their own. Hepatitis B does not have a guaranteed cure, but it can be treated and sometimes goes away on its own.
- Hepatitis C has had a cure since 2014, but it is expensive. Patient assistance programs exist, including these organizations.
- Hepatitis D, newly declared as carcinogenic, only affects people with hepatitis B because it requires the hepatitis B virus to replicate. It is the most severe form of hepatitis, but has no vaccine or cure except for preventing hepatitis B through vaccination. There are treatments for chronic hepatitis D, and some acute treatments resolve on their own.
Story ideas for hepatitis explainers
- Why are babies recommended to receive a hepatitis B vaccine at birth, and what is the safety and efficacy of it? This is a particularly salient story at the moment — see ABC’s example — in light of the decision of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s new ACIP panel to review the vaccine.
- Why isn’t there a hepatitis C vaccine and what’s the current research on it?
- How can you pay for hepatitis C treatment? Here’s a great example, but your story could include details on local or state programs specific to your area.
- Why has progress been slow on hepatitis D treatment? What are the most recent advances? (A clinical trial on a new treatment just recently began.)
Enterprise story ideas
- What’s the rate of hepatitis B and C in your community? What are local public health officials doing to address it?
- What is access to hepatitis A and B vaccination like in your community? What barriers to vaccination exist, whether in terms of access or hesitancy, and what is being done to address these concerns?
- How available is hepatitis C treatment in your area and are those who need it getting it?
- If you have a prison in your coverage area, are those incarcerated there tested and/or treated for any form of hepatitis, particularly hepatitis C?
- Up to one in five people with hepatitis B fear being denied health care because of their condition, according to a 2020 study. To what extent is stigma a barrier to treatment for those with hepatitis B or C in your area? What (if anything) is being done to address it, or what could be done?
- A common method of transmission for hepatitis C is injection drug use. What is your community doing, or what could it do, to address this through needle exchange programs or other interventions? How are these projects supported, and how are they doing?
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently announced $100 million in pilot funding to eliminate hepatitis C. Will any organizations in your area apply? What programs have been shown to be most effective in addressing hepatitis C transmission and barriers to treatment?
Additional resources
- WHO’s Global Health Sector Strategy on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections (2022–2030).
- WHO Guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis, care and treatment for people with chronic hepatitis B infection.
- WHO 2024 Global Hepatitis Report, which is primarily focused on low and middle-income countries.
