On May 9, 2025, the Government of British Columbia proclaimed the first-ever Viral Hepatitis Elimination Day, marking a step in the province’s commitment to eradicating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. This initiative underscores the province’s pledge to improving public health outcomes and addressing the challenges posed by viral hepatitis.
Understanding Viral Hepatitis in BC
Viral hepatitis encompasses infections caused by hepatitis A, B, and C viruses, each affecting the liver in distinct ways. In the recently released 2025 Progress Report from Action Hepatitis Canada (AHC), both advancement and ongoing challenges in BC’s pursuit of viral hepatitis elimination are considered, including that while the province is on track to meet hepatitis C (HCV) targets, significant gaps remain in hepatitis B (HBV) prevention strategies. (For more on the Progress Report, join us on June 18 for a webinar with AHC Executive Director Jennifer van Gennip.
The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC)’s Clinical Prevention Services STBBI Data Dashboard provides real-time, region-specific data on reportable diseases, including HCV. This interactive tool enables anyone to monitor disease trends, assess the effectiveness of interventions, and identify areas requiring targeted action, with real-time data.
These are just two examples of resources that offer a comprehensive understanding of viral hepatitis in BC, guiding strategic initiatives aimed at eliminating these infections as a public health threat by 2030.
The Viral Hepatitis Elimination Roadmap
This summer, the BCCDC is set to publicly launch its Viral Hepatitis Elimination Roadmap, a comprehensive strategy aimed at eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. The Roadmap is a collaborative effort involving the BCCDC, the Ministry of Health, the BC Hepatitis Network (BCHN) and many other community partners, including PAN. These organizations have worked together to create a unified approach to combat viral hepatitis in the province through understanding actionable efforts that can be implemented through several key areas including prevention and education, testing and diagnosis, treatment and linkage to care, and combatting stigma and discrimination.
The Importance of Elimination Day
The establishment of Viral Hepatitis Elimination Day serves multiple purposes:
- Raising Awareness: It brings attention to the prevalence and impact of viral hepatitis, encouraging increased testing and linkage to care once an individual has been tested
- Reducing Stigma: By publicly acknowledging the issue, the day helps to reduce the stigma associated with hepatitis infections, promoting a more supportive environment for those affected.
- Mobilizing Action: It serves as a call to action for policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to engage in efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat.
Looking Ahead
The proclamation of Viral Hepatitis Elimination Day is an encouraging moment in BC’s public health journey. With the forthcoming launch of the Viral Hepatitis Elimination Roadmap, the province is poised to make significant strides toward eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. Through continued collaboration, education, and commitment, PAN looks forward to supporting the Roadmap rollout and implementation of the recommendations included within it.
For more information, please contact Jennifer Demchuk at [email protected]