Progress towards hepatitis C elimination among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia

Report type: 
Year published: 
2021
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(6.08 MB)
Description: 

The first report to provide an account of progress of hepatitis C elimination among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as framed by global and national strategies. Progress is measured by service coverage indicators (including hepatitis C testing and treatment; harm reduction coverage) and impact targets (including new hepatitis C infections; hepatitis C related morbidity and mortality). An estimate of the hepatitis C cascade of care, including the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with chronic hepatitis C at end 2020 is provided. Recommendations to enhance hepatitis C elimination among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are proposed. 

Key findings: 
  • At end 2020, an estimated 117,810 Australians were living with chronic hepatitis C of whom 18% (21,548) were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 
  • Unrestricted access to government subsidised direct-acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C has seen large numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people treated and some declines in hepatitis C related liver failure and mortality. 
  • Although hepatitis C testing and diagnosis proportions are high, findings highlight gaps in treatment uptake and harm reduction coverage, including new hepatitis C infections, of particular concern among young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.
Additional documents: 
HCV-elimination-among-Aboriginal-Torres-Strait-Islander-people-report-2021_slides.pdf
(2.47 MB)
Report contact: 
Lecturer
Professor and Program Head

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