The Viral Hepatitis Mapping Project aims to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in Australia by assessing variation in prevalence and care uptake according to geographic region.

Localised priority-setting is a key objective of recent healthcare reform in Australia, and enhancing access to treatment and care is a priority action in both the National Hepatitis B Strategy 2018-22  and the National Hepatitis C Strategy 2018-22 . Identifying areas where prevalence is high and/or care or treatment uptake is low provides the opportunity to engage with affected communities, prioritise interventions and improve local service delivery in areas of greatest need.

The Viral Hepatitis Mapping Project’s National Report and interactive Online Portal will be updated annually, to reflect both the shifting epidemiology of CHB and CHC in Australia and evaluate the impact of public health and clinical service interventions on increasing access to diagnosis and treatment at a population level over time.

The Project is a joint initiative of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis Epidemiology, The Doherty Institute and ASHM, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health.

For general enquiries about the Viral Hepatitis Mapping Project, or to request a hard copy of the report, contact Isabelle Purcell at Isabelle.Purcell@ashm.org.au or 04 0043 1177. To discuss specific data or request additional information for your area, contact Jennifer MacLachlan at Jennifer.maclachlan@mh.org.au.