Hepatitis B - 'too hot to handle'
Post date: 02 May 2008
Hepatitis B is being largely ignored by governments, receiving less funding than other viral diseases
People with hepatitis B are not receiving appropriate treatment and services, according to Stephen Locarnini, Director of the World Health Organization's Collaborating Centre for Virus Reference and Research in Melbourne. Professor Locarnini told The Australian on April 28, 2008 that although hepatitis B affects almost 200,000 Australians, it has been largely ignored by governments.
Hepatitis B infection is largely concentrated in specific ethnic groups. This makes advocacy difficult, as these minorities may not want to be directly identified with a communicable disease.
Hepatitis B receives far less funding than other viral diseases, and it is much more difficult for patients to access services. Hepatitis B is preventable by vaccine, but this does not address the existing infections. The real problem is that chronic infection can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
"The bureaucracy is of the view that the vaccine will eventually control the disease, so why bother (with effective treatment programs)?" Professor Locarnini said.
It is estimated that 10% of Asian and Mediterranean people, 6-8% of Eastern Europeans and 5% of Africans are infected with hepatitis B.
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ASHM and The Cancer Council NSW will be launching a new Hepatitis B resource ‘B Positive: all you wanted to know about hepatitis B - a guide for primary care providers' on May 19 to celebrate World Hepatitis Day. |