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Hepatitis C World Health Organisation target for deaths by year

Last updated on Thursday, 10 April 2025 at 03:31pm

Summary

Topic
Hepatitis-C
Category
deaths
API name
hepatitis-c_deaths_WHOmortalityTarget

Rationale

Hepatitis C virus-related mortality is an important measure as it monitors whether services are promptly diagnosing and treating people living with hepatitis C. Prompt diagnosis and treatment reduces the number of deaths related to hepatitis C virus by ensuring early clearance of the virus before it can cause damage to the liver.

Definition

This metric shows the annual number of death registrations from hepatitis C virus-related End-Stage Liver Disease (ESLD) and/or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in England.

The combined hepatitis C and hepatitis B World Health Organisation (WHO) absolute target for mortality is equal to or less than 6 per 100,000 population. Previously, the mortality targets separated hepatitis B and hepatitis C at 4 per 100,000 and 2 per 100,000 persons respectively. The hepatitis C target has already been met, with the annual hepatitis C virus-related End-Stage Liver Disease (ESLD) and/or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mortality rate at 0.41 per 100,000 population in 2023.

Methodology

Deaths are based on the year they were registered.

The number of deaths per year are counted where hepatitis C is mentioned on the death certificate along with codes and text entries for ESLD and/or HCC.

Caveats

Death registrations for England are those where hepatitis C is mentioned on the death certificate and excludes deaths registered in England where the deceased’s usual residence is outside of England.

Hepatitis C related End-Stage Liver Disease is defined by codes or text entries for ascites, bleeding oesophageal varices, hepato-renal syndrome, hepatic encephalopathy, or hepatic failure.

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