Lack of progress on eliminating viral hepatitis in the European Union / European Economic Area

Subject: Lack of progress on eliminating viral hepatitis in the European Union / European Economic Area

The latest evidence provided by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) shows that hepatitis B and C are being diagnosed late, and there has been no significant decrease in total mortality from liver cancer and chronic liver diseases at the EU/EEA level. This is concerning, especially given the high estimated mortality from these diseases in the EU/EEA. Although Article 168 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union determines that providing health services is an exclusive competence of the Member States, the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) coordinates the Expert Group on Public Health (EGPH) which includes representatives of EU/EEA Ministries of Health. Given the importance of improving access to testing and treatment, early detection, vaccination coverage, promoting awareness and education:

1. What measures is the Commission taking to address the underachievement of the WHO 2020 targets for diagnosed cases of hepatitis B and C among those living with chronic infections, and to improve the timely diagnosis of these infections?

2. What actions could the Commission take to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of hepatitis B and C?

3. How can the Commission ensure that Member States discuss best practices and measures against viral hepatitis within the EGPH?

Submitted: 25.4.2023

Answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

(15 June 2023)

The Commission is aware that there are approximately six million people living with chronic hepatitis B or C infection in the EU/European Economic Area and that viral hepatitis, despite a decline in the reported number of new transmissions, remains a leading cause of hepatitis-related mortality (1).

A new Expert Group on Public Health was indeed established by Commission Decision (2) in 2022. It has a broader mandate than its predecessor, the Steering Group on Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Management of Non-Communicable Diseases, and it can also advise on addressing public health challenges in relation to viral hepatitis.

The new Expert Group on Public Health referred to above will have as a key task to facilitate the identification and implementation of best and promising practices in terms of addressing public health challenges.

Such work could also be done in relation to viral hepatitis. Under the Europe’s Beating Cancer Pla n (3), the Commission intends to present a proposal for a Council Recommendation on vaccine-preventable cancers later this year, with a focus on prevention of cancers caused by human papillomaviruses and hepatitis B through vaccination.

The activities of the Expert Group on Public Health will also depend on a priority-setting exercise that is currently in preparation.

1 ∙ ⸱ https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/hepatitis-B-and-C-prevention-eu-december-2022.pdf

2 ∙ ⸱ https://health.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-12/c_2022_8816_en.pdf

3 ∙ ⸱ https://health.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-02/eu_cancer-plan_en_0.pdf