Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are the most prevalent blood-borne illnesses in Australia. Viral hepatitis is the second leading cause of death from infectious disease globally, according to the World Health Organisation (2024 report).
Hepatitis NSW, the state’s peak hepatitis community organisation, is committed to achieving a world free of viral hepatitis by 2028. There is a cure for hep C and a vaccine and effective treatments for hepatitis B. We need to get them to the people who need them.
While NSW has made great progress in efforts towards elimination of hepatitis C in particular, it is time to refocus and renew action to make elimination a reality in 2030
Speaking in the lead up to World Hepatitis Day on Sunday 28 July, Hepatitis NSW CEO Associate Professor Steven Drew said:
“We have a lot to celebrate. In the course a single generation a life-threatening disease – hepatitis C – has been discovered and a highly effective, simple cure developed.
“Starting treatment is easy and affordable. The treatment is on the PBS, so out-of-pocket expenses are now even lower with the reduction in the cost of the PBS co-payment,” he says.
“People don’t have to live with the risk of liver disease and liver cancer when a simple effective cure is available. Since 2016, more than 55% of people living with hep C in NSW have received treatment using game-changing Direct Acting Antivirals (DAAs). However, 25% of people with hep C in NSW remain unaware that they have hep C and that they can be cured, taking just one pill a day for 8 or 12 weeks.”
As Gren from Western Sydney said “I had hepatitis C for nearly 40 years, and I felt better almost immediately after starting on the Direct Acting Antiviral treatment. After all that time, getting cured was easy and I had more energy and started sleeping better than I had in decades. I’m back at work and I’m even enjoying that.”
The challenge in achieving elimination is in reaching those people living with hepatitis C, but not currently engaged or interested, for whatever reason, Associate Professor Drew says.
“To achieve elimination, we know that we must reach more broadly and more deeply into diverse communities. Emerging research highlights changing priority populations, as well as hidden and disenfranchised groups. These groups are not homogenous. We need to find out what motivates people to get tested and what the barriers are. We need to develop our messages and programs to respond accordingly.
Reflecting on NSW success to date in moving towards HCV elimination in Australia, local gastroenterologist Dr Joe Lawler says,
“We cannot forget the excess burden of disease carried by our First Nations population who make up about 40% of new Hepatitis C notifications today. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples also endure a greater prevalence of chronic Hepatitis B infection and it’s critical to focus on this population to address these inequities.”
Steven Drew also highlights the great advances in the number and type of ways to test for hep C.
“Testing is easier, faster and takes place in community settings – a game-changer. There are fewer barriers for people to find out hep C status and to start on an improved health journey.
“Point-of-Care testing in particular adds another tool to our kit, and is a gamechanger for people living with, or at risk of hep C. It makes testing, diagnosis and treatment initiation easier, more accessible and less time consuming. Most importantly, it means people can start their journey to cure sooner,” he says.
Associate Professor Drew urged people to learn more about viral hepatitis, including risk factors, treatments and cure by visiting the Hepatitis NSW website (www.hep.org.au).
“We know so much more now about viral hepatitis now. It is important everyone is better informed and able to support family, friends and loved ones who may be at-risk of, or living with hepatitis B or hepatitis C. It will go also go a long way to helping address the stigma and discrimination that still sexists and is a big barrier to people seeking testing and treatment,’’ he says.
Grace from Sydney’s inner west said "I have experienced stigma and discrimination, due to having hepatitis C, from health professionals and the community at large. Hepatitis is a health issue and should be treated as any other illness.
It doesn't matter how someone caught hepatitis C, just that they clear it."
"When people have low self-worth, they don't look after themselves. People need to be encouraged that they are worth treatment and deserve to be cured."
Associate Professor Drew urged everyone in NSW to look out for, and get involved with the Hepatitis NSW annual HEP CURED health promotion campaign.
“We have mobile murals travelling throughout NSW, as well as a large number of free events, that people can attend. The campaign once again uses simple messaging and strong imagery to promote the availability and effectiveness of cures for hep C.
“The HEP CURED message is simple – new treatments are a gamechanger. Get out, get tested, get cured and live your bets life,” he says.
ENDS
Media Contact: Linda Apps 0433 999 017
Steven Drew, CEO Hepatitis NSW 0402 518 285
For interviews with people with lived experience contact Maria McMahon 0447 013 014
Gren (Western Sydney)
Grace (Sydney, Inner West)
Gastroenterologist, Joe Lawler (Sydney)
Hepatology Nurse Practitioner, Tracey Jones (Newcastle)
Information and support is available from the Hepatitis Infoline on 1800 803 990 or www.hep.org.au
General information about hepatitis B and C
Tens of thousands of people in NSW are living with viral hepatitis. Both hepatitis B and hepatitis C are viruses that can, without appropriate medical intervention, become life-long chronic conditions, eventually leading to liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and potentially death. A significant percentage of people living with hep B or hep C are unaware they have it. Even where people know their status, many thousands experience barriers to access healthcare, treatment, or cure.
People can live a long and healthy life with hepatitis B, supported by regular monitoring. While there is currently no cure for this virus, babies born in Australia are vaccinated against it. Any adult who needs to be vaccinated can be. Testing is available, and encouraged, for anyone from an at-risk group. Should a person be found to be living with hep B, regular monitoring of their liver health is important, and, if required, treatment can be prescribed to manage their viral load and prevent the onset of liver disease.
For hepatitis C, all Australians over the age of 12 have access to effective and affordable Direct Acting Antiviral (DAA) cures.
Hep C medications have a cure rate of 95 per cent. They can be prescribed by any general practitioner, or authorised nurse practitioners. Cure is usually achieved within 8 or 12 weeks, with minimal or no side-effects.
This year marks the eighth anniversary of DAAs being made widely available in Australia through Medicare. Since 2016, more than 75,000 Australians have been cured of hepatitis C. It is no exaggeration to say that being cured of hep C can improve quality of life – many people who have finished their course of treatment report feeling greater levels of energy and alertness.
Testing for hep C is simple with several easy to access options. These include getting your GP to do a blood test, accessing a free and confidential Dried Blood Spot (DBS) kit to test in the privacy of your own home, or seeking a POCT through your Local Health District service. Should someone learn they have hep C, they should discuss commencing treatment and get cured. GPs can offer hep C testing and treatment using Telehealth, without ever having to meet the patient face to face.
About HEP CURED
HEP CURED is a statewide health promotion campaign funded by the NSW Government, developed and delivered by Hepatitis NSW, in partnership with Local Health Districts and community organisations.
Who the campaign is for
Based on research by IPSOS, there are three groups of people from the community that HEP CURED seeks to reach are Future focused (Want to be there for their kids and family); Health oriented (Wary of the risks of hep C for own health; May be experiencing symptoms form the virus) and Altruistic (Fear transmission/causing harm to others).
Message
The main HEP CURED message is that hep C cure CAN be done.
The sub messages include:
The new treatment is a game changer
meaning... forget myths and misconceptions, treatment gets results, this is something that can change your life in a positive way.
Take the first step to cure your hep C today
meaning... you can take action now, today, start now, one step at a time.
Treatment and cure
The new treatment is a game changer…
- cures over 95% of people
- has very few side-effects
- is pills only, just 1 or 3 pills a day
- no injections, no interferon
- takes 8 or 12 weeks
- can be prescribed by local clinics and doctors
Everyone has the right to the new hep C cure
Even if you...
- have cirrhosis or liver damage.
- are using.
- drink alcohol.
- have been treated before and got hep C again.
- were treated in the old interferon days and it didn’t work.
- are in prison.
- live with a mental health condition.
Why
The images on the campaign posters shows connection/support and suggest a positive outcome from treatment and cure... and centres on relationships | friendship/mateship | families
Activities and promotion
- Outdoor advertising and paid social media advertising… featured across Sydney metro and regional NSW to promote the campaign to a general audience.
- Activation events… will be with LHD partners at sites where hep C testing and treatment, and/or general information is being provided. These activations are listed on the Hep NSW website
- HEP CURED Mobile Mural and Digital Billboard trucks… will be touring the state for promotion and engagement . The trucks park close to where activations are occurring to bring a focal point and awareness to the activities taking place.
Key Facts:
The new treatment is a game changer…
· cures over 95% of people
· has very few side-effects
· is pills only, just 1 or 3 pills a day
· no injections, no interferon
· takes 8 or 12 weeks
· can be prescribed by local clinics and doctors
Contact details:
Linda Apps 0433 999 017
Maria McMahon 0447 013 014
