A 2026 review published in JAMA highlights that hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection continues to pose a major global health burden, causing approximately 1.1 million deaths each year. While highly effective vaccines and antiviral therapies are available, gaps in prevention, early diagnosis and treatment continue to hinder progress toward HBV elimination.
The authors note that the risk of developing chronic infection is highest when HBV is acquired during infancy, making early prevention particularly important. Although many individuals with chronic hepatitis B remain asymptomatic for years, untreated infection can silently progress to cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), reinforcing the need for routine screening and long-term monitoring.
Looking ahead, the review highlights an evolving treatment landscape with several novel therapies under clinical investigation. While current therapies effectively control the disease, achieving a cure remains an important research priority.
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