England set to be one of the first countries to eliminate hepatitis C
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England is set to eliminate hepatitis C, having already met key treatment targets.
England is on track to become one of the first countries to eliminate hepatitis C, a dangerous liver virus. The NHS has met the target of treating 80% of known cases, with over 100,000 people diagnosed and treated since 2015. Deaths have fallen 36% in a decade, just short of the 2030 goal. Antiviral tablets cure more than 95% of cases. Initiatives like A&E blood tests and free home-testing kits have helped find undiagnosed cases, including among people from certain Eastern European countries. The Hepatitis C Trust called this a major public health achievement.
What commenters are saying
Commenters discussed the article's terminology, with several explaining that England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are all constituent countries of the UK, each with its own devolved health system. Some noted that all four nations are pursuing the same WHO elimination goal independently, with different reporting timelines and strategies. A few commenters contrasted the UK's public health progress with the US's struggles with preventable diseases. One commenter provided links to the Hepatitis C Trust and reports from Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland showing similar efforts.
A subthread debated whether the UK or its constituent parts are properly called "countries," with some arguing England is a nation but not a sovereign state, and others noting the government and international community recognize them as constituent countries.