Australians can now have a say on two important strategies that will guide Australia’s action against hepatitis B and C to eliminate these viruses as public health threats by 2030.
Hepatitis B and C are a significant public health challenge. These viruses can cause serious illness that inflames and damages the liver. In Australia, about 232,000 people live with hepatitis B, and about 227,000 people live with hepatitis C.
The draft Fourth National Hepatitis B Strategy 2023-2030 and Sixth National Hepatitis C Strategy 2023-2030 outline goals, targets, priority populations and settings, and key areas for action to help Australians live free from the impact of hepatitis B and C.
The strategies are part of a broader set of new National Blood Borne Viruses (BBV) and Sexually Transmissible Infections (STI) Strategies setting a strong direction for Australia’s continued and world‑leading response to BBV and STI.
Both strategies were drafted following significant consultation with state and territory governments, sector peak bodies including Hepatitis Australia, national community organisations, national research centres of excellence, and the Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmissible Infections Standing Committee.
The strategies are available for feedback until 28 June 2023.
