Hepatitis B rates among Brimbank residents are almost triple the state average, western health agency cohealth says.
It’s estimated more than 4000 people are living with chronic hepatitis B in Brimbank.
At a Melbourne West Hepatitis Action Forum in St Albans last month, health agencies including peak body Hepatitis Victoria, painted a grim picture for almost 50,000 people in Melbourne’s north-west living with hepatitis B or C.
Chief executive of cohealth Lyn Morgain said hepatitis C rates for Brimbank were double the state average.
“Forecasts suggest one in four people will die without treatment for hepatitis B, and it’s estimated there will be a 245 per cent increase in liver cancer due to hepatitis C by 2030 if nothing is done to stem the tide,” she said.
“At the forum, we saw people living with hepatitis in Melbourne’s west courageously stand up and ask for help. We have a responsibility to support people with accessible testing, information, counselling, management and health leadership.”
North Western Primary Care Network announced it would roll out an integrated hepatitis action plan across the region. Hepatitis Victoria chief executive officer Melanie Eagle said the state had the capability to put an end to “this silent killer” but needed a united approach.
