Retrospects and prospects of hepatitis B prevention and control in China
10.3760/cma.j.cn112866-20250326-00070
- VernacularTitle:中国乙型肝炎防控回顾与展望
- Author:
Feng WANG
1
;
Xiangyun FAN
;
Qiudong SU
;
Ke XU
Author Information
1. 中国疾病预防控制中心病毒病预防控制所 国家卫生健康委医学病毒和病毒病重点实验室，北京 102206
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Hepatitis B;
Immunoprophylaxis;
Mother-to-child transmission block;
Cost-effectiveness;
Challenge
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology
2025;39(4):510-517
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Hepatitis B，an infectious disease caused by the hepatitis B virus（HBV），poses a severe threat to health by inducing acute and chronic hepatitis，cirrhosis，and liver cancer，thereby imposing heavy disease burden and psychological pressure to patients. In 1992，the average positive rate of hepatitis B surface antigen（HBsAg）in China was 9.75%，classifying the country as a high-prevalence area for hepatitis B. Since the mid-1980s，China has implemented a comprehensive prevention and control strategy centered on hepatitis B vaccination for newborns. This strategy encompasses measures such as blocking mother-to-child transmission，blood screening，control of healthcare-associated infections，prevention and control among key populations，and public education and awareness campaigns. After nearly four decades of efforts，the 2020 national hepatitis B seroepidemiological survey revealed a significant decline in China's overall HBsAg positive rate to 5.86%，with the positivity rate among children aged 1-4 years plummeting to just 0.30%. Compared with 1992，they have decreased by 40% and 97% respectively. New HBV infections have significantly decreased，and the prevention and control measures have achieved remarkable economic and social benefits. However，China still confronts numerous challenges in eliminating hepatitis B. The number of chronic HBV carriers remains substantial，and the infection rates among childbearing-age populations and sexually active groups are still relatively high. New infections among adults continue to occur sporadically. Additionally，the vaccination rate for hepatitis B among high-risk adult populations is low，and the newborn immunization program is weak in some areas. The public's awareness of hepatitis B needs to be improved urgently. The rates of detection，diagnosis，and treatment for hepatitis B are relatively low. Moreover，there is currently no effective drug that can completely eliminate HBV. Against the backdrop of rapid advancements in internet and information technologies，as well as in detection and diagnostic methods，China should promptly develop a multi-department prevention and control plan，introduce supportive policies and safeguard measures，and implement a hepatitis B prevention and control strategy that is based on universal immunoprevention and is systematic，comprehensive，standardized，precise，and fully integrated. At the same time，it is essential to improve an information management system，explore the integration of medical care and disease prevention mechanisms，increase financial investment，and implement measures at all stages，including screening，diagnosis，referral，treatment，and care. Additionally，efforts should be made to mobilize the participation of the entire society in order to achieve the goal of eliminating the public health threat of hepatitis B as soon as possible.
