Drug & Alcohol

NHS England has a national aim of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat ahead of 2030, as part of a wider global World Health Organisation goal.  Hep C U Later exists to support the elimination of viral hepatitis.

Hepatitis C can be prevented, identified, and cured with a simple course of tablets. It is estimated there are currently less than 60,000 people in England who are unaware they have a hepatitis C infection.

Hepatitis B can be prevented with a course of vaccinations, identified through testing and managed with effective treatments.  It is estimated there are currently 269,000 people in England who living with hepatitis B, and just over half are unaware they have the virus.

If viral hepatitis is not identified and managed, or treated, this can lead to liver damage, cancer, and death.   There are a number of ways viral hepatitis can be transmitted, and people do not always recognise they have the infection due to a lack of symptoms.  The only way to know is to engage people in testing.

Hepatitis C disproportionally affects people who inject drugs who may also experience barriers to accessing care.  Increasing and improving a person’s access to hepatitis C testing and treatment can also be an opportunity for making every contact count and improving overall health and wellbeing.

Many community drug and alcohol treatment services offer testing for blood borne viruses (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV) and some additionally are commissioned to administer hepatitis B vaccinations.