Viral hepatitis constitutes an enormous health burden, and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. The magnitude of the problem can be highlighted by the fact that 1 in 12 people globally are living with chronic infections of either hepatitis B
virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV). Both HBV and HCV can cause chronic infection, imposing increased long-term health risk to the carriers themselves, and representing a significant reservoir of infection to noninfected persons. Unfortunately, awareness of these two diseases remains low even in endemic regions, and as a result, many persons at risk are not being tested,
and those not infected do not have an effective strategy to avoid infection. (Editorial)