Strategic Information

The integrated Global Health Sector Strategies on, respectively, HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections for the period 2022-2030 (GHSS) re-affirm the ambitious targets set in 2016 and further define global targets for 2025 and 2030. The GHSS on viral hepatitis calls for elimination of viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

Countries should have a national health information system, which can reliably generate and analyse the data necessary to monitor and assess progress against the hepatitis elimination criteria, as well as impact and programme targets. 

Strategic information can be defined as data collected at all service delivery and administrative levels to inform policy and programme decisions. In the field of viral hepatitis, strategic information includes surveillance as well as monitoring and evaluation. Surveillance describes the epidemiological situation, from new hepatitis infections to chronic infections and sequelae that lead to morbidity and mortality.

The monitoring and evaluation framework for viral hepatitis tracks how hepatitis programmes are performing using a standard results-based approach that considers context (prevalence of infection), measures input, output and outcomes (including the cascade of prevention, testing and treatment), and impact (incidence and mortality). These components contribute to a comprehensive picture of the epidemiological situation of viral hepatitis. They provide strategic information to inform policy and programme decisions, and to monitor progress towards the elimination of viral hepatitis as a public health threat.

The data systems required to inform this framework include:

• surveillance for acute hepatitis A–E chronic infections (mostly B and C), and sequelae (caused by decompensated liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer);
• programme data documenting prevention, testing and treatment, including the cascade of care; and
• A stepwise approach is recommended for implementing surveillance for viral hepatitis, using the data available while strengthening the data system. In the first phase, a survey is needed to generate estimates for the epidemiology as well as the natural history of hepatitis in the country. In the second phase, person-centred routine programme data are needed to manage and monitor viral hepatitis testing and treatment coverage. 

Strategic information measurement framework and menu of indicators for viral hepatitis monitoring

Core indicators for viral hepatitis B and C monitoring

A stepwise recommendation for strengthening country surveillance of viral hepatitis

Prevalent cases of chronic hepatitis B by WHO region, 2022 

Prevalent cases of chronic hepatitis C by WHO region, 2022