Global Health Progress Commemorates First Annual World Hepatitis Day
Worldwide collaboration promotes prevention and access to treatment
Global Health Progress, an initiative sponsored by the worldwide pharmaceutical industry, joins the global community in commemorating the first annual World Hepatitis Day today, and applauds the health care workers and organizations that contribute to preventing and treating hepatitis infections and educating people worldwide about the disease.
Hepatitis is one of the most serious and far-reaching diseases in existence. According to the World Health Organization, 2 billion people have been diagnosed with hepatitis B, the most serious and widespread hepatitis infection. The World Hepatitis Alliance estimates that 500 million people, or one in 12 of the total world population, has a chronic hepatitis C or hepatitis B infection.
Through collaboration with initiatives such as Combating Hepatitis in Asia, the China Rural Area Hepatitis B Prevention Education and MAP International, research-based biopharmaceutical companies are striving to increase education, awareness and testing, to promote hepatitis B vaccination and research and development of new vaccines and to improve access to care for those who are infected with hepatitis.
Research-based biopharmaceutical companies are committed to working with governments, NGOs and others to raise awareness of the far-reaching health impacts of hepatitis, to provide more information about available vaccination and treatment, and to conduct ongoing research and development into new vaccines and drugs.
Global Health Progress also acknowledges the leaders in the fight against hepatitis such as The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), whose mission is to vaccinate as many children as possible against vaccine-preventable illnesses. GAVI is supplying the first 5-in-1 vaccine Quinvaxem, which protects children against five diseases in one single shot, including hepatitis B.
To learn more about Global Health Progress and partnerships with research-based biopharmaceutical companies worldwide that combat and prevent hepatitis, visit www.globalhealthprogress.org.
About Global Health Progress
The Global Health Progress initiative brings research-based biopharmaceutical companies and global health leaders together to improve health in the developing world. Through meaningful public-private partnerships with others in the field, including policymakers in the developed and developing world, multi-lateral institutions, non-governmental organizations, and academe, we are helping to shape sustainable solutions that improve the health of all people.