New Burnet Institute modelling has revealed the significant cost of hepatitis B deaths globally and emphasises the underappreciated economic burden of the disease.
The research also demonstrates the life-saving benefits of vaccination, diagnosis and treatment to prevent transmission and slow progression of the disease, with the ultimate aim of eliminating hepatitis B.
Published in The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology on World Hepatitis Day, 28 June, the study shows hepatitis B deaths between 2022 and 2050 would cost the global economy more than US$780 billion without greater investment in interventions.
Using a mathematical model of hepatitis B across the six World Health Organization (WHO) regions, researchers were able to estimate global productivity losses attributable to hepatitis B deaths.
The study provides estimates of the total required investment, resultant health benefits, cost-effectiveness, and net economic benefit of achieving the WHO intervention coverage targets to eliminate hepatitis B as a public health threat by 2030.
The research found that achieving WHO Global Health Sector Strategy vaccination, diagnosis and treatment coverage targets by 2030, and sustaining them until 2050, would cost US$234 billion (an additional US$141 billion compared to the status quo) across the six WHO regions, but would produce a net economic benefit of US$99 billion through productivity gains associated with prevented hepatitis B attributable deaths during the same period.
It is estimated that achieving the coverage targets would prevent 8.6 million hepatitis B related deaths.
Study lead author Dr Chris Seaman said the research shines a light on the cost of inaction against this deadly disease.
“While similar studies have been done into the societal cost of hepatitis C, nothing on this level had been undertaken for hepatitis B,” Dr Seaman said.
“Our findings provide an impetus for pursing timely hepatitis B elimination and highlight the need for greater funding to achieve this goal.”
The WHO has set a target of achieving 90 per cent vaccination among newborns and infants, 90 per cent diagnosis of people living with chronic hepatitis B, and 80 per cent treatment coverage of those eligible by 2030.
Dr Seaman said the WHO’s target was achievable but required greater investment.
“Although reaching the WHO target requires significant funding globally, the economic benefits this would produce, and the lives it would save, far outweigh the investment costs,” he said.
“These findings should encourage significant discussion among global health investment bodies toward financing global hepatitis B elimination.”
“We hope this research is a catalyst for decision makers to look at the cost of hepatitis B and focus investment in the regions that need it most.”