According to CEVHAP Experts: Hepatitis Impact in Asia Pacific to Rise if Not Tackled on Multiple Levels

July 28, 2011

epatitis-impact-in-asia-pacific-to-rise-if-not-tackled-on-multiple-levels

According to CEVHAP Experts: Hepatitis Impact in Asia Pacific to Rise if Not

Tackled on Multiple Levels

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

WHO's World Hepatitis Day highlights viral hepatitis as a global health problem

Hong Kong experts emphasize the importance of driving awareness around the

disease in view of the high prevalence of viral hepatitis infection

HONG KONG, July 28, 2011/PRNewswire-Asia/ -- This World Hepatitis Day, 28 July

2011, a group of leading experts in viral hepatitis is urging governments and

the public across Asia Pacificto become more aware of the devastating effects of

hepatitis on individuals, their families and the community at large. The group,

known as CEVHAP (Coalition to Eradicate Viral Hepatitis in Asia Pacific) was

recently formed to address the lack of awareness and political will to tackle

issues associated with viral hepatitis. Leading gastroenterology and hepatology

experts in Hong Kong, who form an integral part of the Coalition, are in full

support of all efforts to increase awareness and promote health education to

combat low public awareness and improve understanding of the disease and its

implications, by patients and the general community alike.

This is the first year that 28 July will be recognised as World Hepatitis Day

globally, as a result of World Health Assembly's Resolution on Viral Hepatitis

(WHA63.R18) of 21 May 2010. The Resolution also expresses concern about the lack

of progress in the prevention, control and treatment of viral hepatitis around

the world.

" CEVHAP is committed to utilising the collective expertise of its members in

the region to partner with government bodies in policy formulation and health

education, " said Professor Ching-Lung Lai, Simon KY Lee Professorship in

Gastroenterology, Chair Professor of Medicine and Hepatology at the Department

of Medicine, The University of Hong Kongand a member of CEVHAP. " The challenges

and burden of viral hepatitis on our health systems will escalate unless a

coordinated action is employed to tackle the issue. "

Viral hepatitis, particularly hepatitis B and C, affects one in 12 people

worldwide, claiming the lives of approximately one million people every year.(1)

Asia Pacificcarries the major part of the global burden of viral hepatitis. In

Southeast Asia, including Hong Kong , the overall prevalence of chronic

hepatitis B infection is high (8%).(2) For hepatitis C, it is estimated that

2-3% of world population carry hepatitis C virus.(3)

" While chronic hepatitis is a silent disease with little or no symptoms for many

years, it is also a silent disease when it comes to public awareness and

government attention.

July 28, 2011