Can Hepatitis C Be Eliminated by 2030? On the Path to Zero

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AbbVie’s broad commitment to a global effort to cure hepatitis C (HCV) led to a policy, advocacy and awareness initiative called Path to Zero: Fresh Thinking on the Road to Eliminating HCV.

April 20, 2017 – The Economist Group’s Path to Zero program, sponsored by AbbVie, aims to foster a global dialogue around innovative solutions toward eliminating the hepatitis C virus (HCV) through:

  • Research to generate critical insights on key topics in the HCV domain
  • Roundtables with cross-sector stakeholders to drive dialogue and foster innovative policy solutions
  • An “HCV Change Makers” recognition program that highlights individuals and organizations demonstrating groundbreaking actions toward HCV elimination

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), identified six areas that impact progress toward eliminating HCV, including: (1) policy, (2) raising awareness by promoting partnerships, (3) surveillance and monitoring, (4) prevention of transmission, (5) testing and providing access to care and treatment, and (6) building capacity and continuing research.

Path to Zero has generated widespread interest with participation from leading HCV groups, such as the World Hepatitis Alliance, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and many others.

Members of EIU’s editorial and research teams presented the research at selected conferences in 2017 to highlight key findings from Path to Zero.

And the EIU is now launching the 2017 “HCV Change Makers” program which will identify and celebrate trailblazing individuals and organizations, out-of-the box programs and innovative policies that through their grassroots efforts, skills and vision are breaking new ground for the elimination of HCV.

Nominations are now being accepted for innovative, replicable, scalable and financially feasible efforts that make a meaningful impact in HCV elimination in three thematic areas:

  1. Innovative technologies
  2. HCV screening initiatives
  3. Effective multi-stakeholder approaches to drive change

The hepatitis C virus affects nearly 160 million people worldwide. Up to 700,000 of those infected die from HCV every year.

SOURCE: AbbVie