Documents to download

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus which infects and damages the liver. It affects an estimated 215,000 people in the UK and 130–150 million people globally. It can cause inflammation, fibrosis, weight loss, abdominal pain, and in advanced cases, cirrhosis. The most common modes of transmission are the sharing of needles by intravenous drug users, inadequately sterilised medical equipment, and the transfusion of unscreened blood and blood products.

This briefing summarises the treatment options, and provides a statistical summary of the incidence of the disease in the UK, and globally. It also summarises recent UK government policy on the subject, together with global efforts to eradicate the disease, informed by the World Health Organisation’s Global Strategy on Viral Hepatitis 2016–2021. Part of this strategy is the annual observance of World Hepatitis Day, on 28 July.


Documents to download

Related posts

  • Tobacco and Vapes Bill: HL Bill 89 of 2024–25

    The bill aims to create a 'smoke-free generation' by banning tobacco sales to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009, alongside other measures to tackle smoking and tobacco harms. It would also further regulate vaping, curbing its appeal to children, while enabling adult smokers to use vapes as a quitting tool. The bill is similar to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill which fell at dissolution 2024.

    Tobacco and Vapes Bill: HL Bill 89 of 2024–25
  • ‘A plan to fix our broken food system’: House of Lords Food, Diet and Obesity Committee report

    In October 2024, a report from the House of Lords Food, Diet and Obesity Committee concluded that poor-quality diets were contributing to an obesity crisis in England. It said that successive governments had failed to tackle the issue, and more regulation was now needed. This briefing summarises the committee’s recommendations, the government’s response in January 2025, and reaction to both reports.

    ‘A plan to fix our broken food system’: House of Lords Food, Diet and Obesity Committee report
  • Covid-19 pandemic: Support for the bereaved

    On 9 March, the Covid-19 Day of Reflection 2025 took place to mark five years since the start of the pandemic in the UK. This briefing has been prepared ahead of a debate in the House of Lords focused on the support available to those bereaved because of Covid-19. It outlines the help available for families and sets out background information on the Covid-19 Day of Reflection, as well as the UK Covid-19 inquiry.

    Covid-19 pandemic: Support for the bereaved