Voices From the Frontline: How Global Funding Cuts Are Reshaping the Viral Hepatitis Response
In a new commentary, published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, co-authored by the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination (CGHE), the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA), and the Hepatitis Elimination Lab (Plan-B), frontline voices reveal how recent global health funding cuts are already disrupting hepatitis B and C services worldwide.
Based on surveys from 240 health workers, researchers, community organizations, people living with hepatitis, and national program leaders, this article documents early but alarming impacts: clinic closures, staff losses, reduced access to vaccines, diagnostics, and treatment, stalled research, and setbacks to prevention, including critical hepatitis B birth dose vaccination.
Respondents are concerned that these disruptions could reverse hard-won progress toward elimination, increase transmission, worsen liver disease outcomes, and widen inequities, especially in low- and middle-income countries and among key populations. At the same time, the commentary highlights resilience and innovation across countries and communities, including diversified funding strategies, stronger collaboration, and renewed calls for national ownership of hepatitis elimination efforts.
This joint analysis from CGHE, WHA, and Plan-B reveals that hepatitis elimination efforts are suffering direct impacts from funding cuts, with a need to stabilize funding, protect essential hepatitis services, and ensure the world does not lose momentum toward viral hepatitis elimination.
Access the commentary here.
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