This week, NHS England announced that more than 100,000 people have received treatment for hepatitis C since the introduction of direct-acting antiviral medicines in 2015. It is a remarkable achievement and one that demonstrates what can be accomplished when effective treatment, targeted testing and partnership working come together with a shared goal.
For those of us working in liver health, this milestone represents far more than a number. It means thousands of people who have been cured of a virus that can silently damage the liver for years before symptoms appear. It means fewer cases of cirrhosis, fewer people developing liver cancer, and fewer families affected by the devastating consequences of advanced liver disease.
Hepatitis C was once considered a life-long condition. Today, thanks to direct-acting antiviral treatments, more than 95% of people can be cured with a short course of tablets lasting just eight to 12 weeks. The transformation in outcomes has been extraordinary.
The latest UK Health Security Agency report shows just how far England has come. The estimated number of adults living with chronic hepatitis C has fallen by more than 60% since 2015, from around 129,000 people to approximately 50,200 in 2024. England has also achieved the World Health Organization target of treating at least 80% of diagnosed cases, a significant milestone on the path to elimination.
Perhaps most excitingly, England is now on course to become one of the first countries in the world to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health threat. This is a testament to the commitment of the NHS, public health teams, charities, clinicians, peer workers and communities across the country who have worked tirelessly to reach people who might otherwise have been left behind.
However, while we should celebrate this success, the job is not yet finished.
The UKHSA report highlights that an estimated 15% of people living with hepatitis C remain undiagnosed. Because hepatitis C often causes no symptoms until significant liver damage has occurred, many people may be living with the virus unknowingly. Continued efforts to find these missing cases will be critical if England is to achieve elimination.
Testing remains one of our most powerful tools. NHS England is encouraging people who may be at higher risk of hepatitis C to come forward for testing, including people who have previously injected drugs, had a blood transfusion before routine screening was introduced, received tattoos or medical procedures in countries with higher rates of infection, or have other known risk factors. If you are over 18 and live in England, you can order a free at home test.
At Liver UK, we know that reducing liver disease requires action long before people become seriously unwell. The success of the hepatitis C programme demonstrates the value of prevention, early diagnosis and access to effective treatment. It also shows what can be achieved when liver health is recognised as a public health priority.
Vanessa Hebditch, Director of Communications and Policy at Liver UK, said:
“This is a landmark moment in the fight against hepatitis C and an achievement everyone involved should be proud of. Reaching 100,000 people with treatment means 100,000 opportunities to prevent serious liver disease, liver cancer and avoidable deaths.
“The progress made over the last decade shows what is possible when evidence-based treatment is combined with proactive testing and sustained commitment across the health system. But we cannot become complacent. Thousands of people are still living with hepatitis C without knowing it, and they must be supported to access testing and care.
“As England moves closer to eliminating hepatitis C as a public health threat, we must maintain momentum and ensure no one is left behind. Every diagnosis made and every person cured brings us one step closer to that goal.”
The story of hepatitis C over the last decade is one of the greatest public health success stories in recent years. With continued investment, innovation and focus on reaching those who remain undiagnosed, the opportunity to eliminate hepatitis C is within reach.
