Principle 4 – Advocate To Governments
Why?
Viral hepatitis continues to cause unnecessary deaths and long-term health complications globally. The burden raises healthcare costs, especially in low-income countries. Limited awareness, underfunding and low prioritisation in public health agendas is a massive hinderance to viral hepatitis elimination.
Achieving elimination requires strong political will, long term investment and policy driven action and strategies. Governments and policy makers must stay informed, engaged and equipped to take action. Advocacy is crucial to bridging the gap between evidence, community needs and political decision making.
What?
Lobbying for increased funding and pushing for legislative and policy reforms to support prevention, testing and treatment efforts.
How?
A few quick steps to get started:
- Use data driven advocacy to present the social and economic impact of viral hepatitis.
- Humanise the data and build emotional connection and urgent response among policy makers.
- Create targeted messaging and tailored advocacy materials for policy makers that highlight the cost effectiveness of testing and treatment.
- Speak with policy makers and health authorities, apply pressure where necessary.
Other Resources To Help
- Read how scientists across the U.S. rallied to defend research, diversity and evidence-based policy in the face of sweeping funding cuts and political interference. Available at – https://i-base.info/htb/50417
- Use Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination’s (CGHE) or Center for Disease Analysis’ (CDA) country profiles to track progress around the world and identify where advocacy is need the most
- Take a look at WHA’s Financing for Elimination programme to learn about costing a hepatitis C programme, making an investment case for the programme and examining financing options.
- Use this community letter to advocate to local governments about funding hepatitis B and hepatitis C programmes in your area. See the advancements in New York City
- Review the California Department of Public Health bill requiring health facilities delivering primary care to adults to offer hepatitis B and hepatitis C screening tests.
