Australia faces more than $2.6 billion in avoidable costs by 2030 if it fails to meet national hepatitis B and hepatitis C elimination targets, new modelling released by Hepatitis Australia shows.
The report warns that unless elimination targets are met, thousands of people will miss out on being cured of hepatitis C, while tens of thousands living with hepatitis B will miss diagnosis, care or treatment, resulting in hundreds of avoidable deaths.
Released on World Hepatitis Day, Pathway to Progress: The health and economic gains of 2030 viral hepatitis elimination details the cost of inaction.
Hepatitis Australia CEO Lucy Clynes said Australia could not afford to lose momentum.
"Failing to meet our hepatitis elimination targets will cost lives, increase pressure on hospitals and leave Australians carrying billions of dollars in avoidable costs.
"Hepatitis B can be managed, and hepatitis C can be cured. We have the tools, and we have had excellent engagement from the Federal Government. Now, we must continue to invest so that we can finish the job.
"That means ensuring people receive the testing, treatment and care that could save their lives."
Vicki, who was cured of hepatitis C, said that modern hepatitis treatment transformed her life.
"I was frightened by my diagnosis and worried about passing hepatitis C to others. After my partner became seriously ill and died following interferon treatment, it took me 10 years to face my own health.
"Hepatitis ACT told me about the new direct-acting antiviral treatments. They were small tablets taken for eight to 12 weeks, and then I was cured.
"After years of fear and uncertainty, it felt like a huge weight had been lifted.
"If you have delayed treatment because of what you experienced or heard in the past, things have changed. Support is available, and a cure is possible."
Almost 300,000 Australians are living with hepatitis B or hepatitis C, and almost 1,000 are estimated to have died from the conditions in 2023 alone.
While Australia has committed to eliminating hepatitis B and hepatitis C as public health threats by 2030, eight of the 10 hepatitis B targets and five of the seven hepatitis C targets are currently off track.
The HTAnalysts modelling, using data from the Doherty Institute and Kirby Institute, found missing the 2030 targets would cost:
- Hepatitis B: $1.17 billion in avoidable costs, including $964 million in immediate costs and $202 million from lost workforce participation, premature death and ongoing healthcare costs.
- Hepatitis C: $1.43 billion in avoidable costs, including $1.39 billion in immediate costs and $40 million in downstream costs.
Ms Clynes said that elimination would deliver an estimated return of $7 for every $1 invested in hepatitis B and $16 for every $1 invested in hepatitis C.
"The Federal Government's previous investment in hepatitis elimination has been highly effective, and this research shows just how much more can be achieved if we stay the course.
"The next step towards hepatitis elimination is the development of Implementation Action Plans, in collaboration with the Australian Centre for Disease Control, to map our priorities for the next four years.
"It is critical that these plans are fully funded.
"This investment will mean less liver disease, fewer preventable deaths and fewer families losing someone they love."
This year's World Hepatitis Day theme, Take the Next Step, encourages people to get tested, seek care and access treatment.
"Australia led the world by making hepatitis C cures universally available in 2016.
"The evidence is clear. Acting now to meet our targets will save lives and avoid billions in future costs.
"Governments must take the next step. The longer we wait, the greater the cost."
Pathway to Progress: The health and economic gains of 2030 viral hepatitis elimination is available at hepatitisaustralia.com
For support, information and referral, contact HepLink on 1800 437 222 or visit heplink.au.
About us:
Hepatitis Australia is the national peak community organisation working to eliminate hepatitis B and hepatitis C in Australia. It represents eight state and territory community hepatitis organisations and advocates for the rights, health and dignity of the nearly 300,000 people in Australia affected by viral hepatitis.
Patients, their families and healthcare providers can get confidential, free support for viral hepatitis by contacting HepLink at https://www.heplink.au/ or 1800 437 222
