# Basic guidelines for promotion of control measures for hepatitis

May 16, 2011

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Basic approach for preventing hepatitis and promoting medical care of hepatitis-2 - 3
Chapter 2 Measures for preventing hepatitis - 3
Chapter 3 Implementation system for hepatitis testing and improvement in test performance. - 4
Chapter 4 Confirmation of the system for providing medical care for hepatitis - 5
Chapter 5 Education of personnel involved in prevention and treatment of hepatitis ... - 7
Chapter 6 Surveys and Research regarding hepatitis - 8
Chapter 7 Pharmaceutical research and development for the treatment of hepatitis ... - 9
Chapter 8 Dissemination of information regarding hepatitis and respect for human rights of patients with hepatitis. - 9
Chapter 9 Other important issues related to promotion of control measures for hepatitis. - 10

Hepatitis is a medical condition characterized by liver cell damage. There are a variety of causes of hepatitis, which can be broadly classified into viruses, alcohol and autoimmune. In Japan, a large percentage of cases of hepatitis are caused by the hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus infection (hereinafter referred to as the hepatitis virus), therefore, measures to prevent hepatitis B and C are urgently needed.

With regard to recent measures for hepatitis B and C in Japan, comprehensive urgent measures against hepatitis C were implemented in the 2002 fiscal year and after. Subsequently, in the 2007 fiscal year, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) requested that the prefectural governments prepare linked regional core centers for the treatment of liver disease (hereinafter referred to as regional core centers).

The MHLW has been promoting comprehensive control measures for hepatitis, consisting of 5 strategies, since the 2008 fiscal year. These five measures are as follows: environmental improvement to enhance hepatitis treatment, facilitation of hepatitis testing, preparation of a treatment/consultation system for hepatitis, preparation and dissemination of accurate information to the public, and promotion of hepatitis-related research.

Furthermore, the Hepatitis Treatment Strategy Council consisting of experts in hepatitis developed the "7-year Strategy for Hepatitis Research" in June 2008 and has been promoting research based on this strategy.

However, it is likely that a large proportion of individuals are unaware that they are infected with the hepatitis virus, and some regions do not have a sufficient system for the treatment of hepatitis virus-induced hepatitis, cirrhosis or liver cancer. (hereinafter referred to as hepatitis treatment). Therefore, there are many problems to be solved in order to provide appropriate treatment to patients with hepatitis. In addition, many people fail to fully understand the infection route of the hepatitis virus, and are not fully aware of the need for hepatitis testing. This lack of understanding results in many patients with chronic viral hepatitis (including patients with cirrhosis or liver cancer as a result of viral hepatitis (hereinafter referred to as patients with hepatitis)) experiencing unjustified discrimination. To improve understanding and