New EIU programme highlights successes and opportunities in efforts to tackle Hepatitis C

NEW YORK, July 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A new year-long research programme from The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) explores and highlights successes and opportunities in the fight against Hepatitis C (HCV).

Key findings from the first phase of the "Path to Zero" programme—foundational research on policies and initiatives to fight HCV in a set of 20 countries – include:

• Twelve of 20 countries have national strategic plans for fighting Hepatitis C -- Brazil, China, Egypt, France, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan,  Taiwan, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Switzerland
• Most countries are working to raise awareness about HCV infection and prevention, though some, such as Saudi Arabia, still lack national initiatives
• All countries have infection control policies for the prevention of HCV transmission in healthcare and community settings

The "Path to Zero" programme, sponsored by AbbVie, aims to bring fresh thinking to efforts to eliminate HCV, which infects up to 150 million people globally.  The programme strives to guide policy makers, advocacy organisations and practitioners as they consider ways to curb or end a disease of epidemic proportions in many countries.

The programme consists of three elements. First, the foundational research described above frames the HCV issues in—and achievements of—20 countries through a data matrix of indicator scores and individual country assessments, included in a findings report. Second, three policy-driven expert roundtables, held from June to September 2016, on "Awareness building", "Innovations in funding" and "Bridging the 'Know-do' gap" will be forums for exchanging ideas on how to eliminate HCV. Third,  the "HCV Change Makers" recognition programme shines a light on 18 individuals, groups, policies or programmes that are breaking new ground on this "Path to Zero". Their stories will inspire and guide their peers with novel approaches for addressing HCV; six finalists, selected by separate panels of experts, will be featured in case studies, blogs and a video in the autumn of 2016."The path to eliminating hepatitis C requires getting a whole sequence of initiatives right, from awareness raising to capacity building to treatment and delivery. This can be challenging due to the different populations at risk. Getting it right means government-led efforts need to be complemented by those of other stakeholders, notably patient associations, which are working hard in the field of Hep C. Yet no single country scored well in all of our indicators, even in the best-prepared group of Croatia, Italy, Taiwan and the UK," says Annie Pannelay, principal, EIU Healthcare.

The "Path to Zero" Findings and Methodology Report, profiles of Change Makers and video highlights of Awareness Raising Roundtable discussions can be seen on pathtozero.eiu.com 

Notes to editors

About the study: The "Path to Zero" foundational research study scored 20 countries on their efforts  to eliminate HCV based on six areas, ranging from national policies – such as national HCV strategies, agencies, policies and funding –to capacity-building and research training programmes, including innovative services and programmes to increase capacity. Countries selected for this study are: Brazil, Canada, China, Croatia, Egypt, France, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Taiwan. Findings are presented in an analytic data tool, country assessments and a findings and methodology paper.

About The Economist Intelligence Unit
The Economist Intelligence Unit is the world leader in global business intelligence. It is the business-to-business arm of The Economist Group, which publishes The Economist newspaper. The Economist Intelligence Unit helps executives make better decisions by providing timely, reliable, and impartial analysis on worldwide market trends and business strategies. More information can be found at www.eiu.com or www.twitter.com/theeiu.

About AbbVie
AbbVie is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company formed in 2013 following separation from Abbott Laboratories. The company's mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and unique approach to innovation to develop and market advanced therapies that address some of the world's most complex and serious diseases. Together with its wholly owned subsidiary, Pharmacyclics, AbbVie employs more than 28,000 people worldwide and markets medicines in more than 170 countries. For further information on the company and its people, portfolio and commitments, please visit www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter or view careers on our Facebook or LinkedIn page.

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SOURCE The Economist