Antiviral Therapy and Vaccination Strategies Reduce Hepatitis B Mortality

Chronic hepatitis B virus infection remains a primary driver of global morbidity, contributing significantly to the rising incidence of cirrhosis and liver failure [1, 2]. As of 2022, liver cancer ranks as the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, accounting for approximately 7.8% of all cancer deaths [3]. In the United States, nearly two million individuals live with chronic infection, and more than 25,000 infants are born annually at risk of perinatal transmission (infection passed from mother to child during birth) [4]. While universal vaccination has altered the epidemiological landscape, meta-analytic data show that antiviral therapy in highly viremic mothers further reduces transmission risk, yielding a relative risk of 0.3 (95% confidence interval, 0.2 to 0.4) [5]. For practicing physicians, identifying at-risk patients and navigating complex management protocols is essential to prevent long-term complications. The current findings provide a comprehensive framework for the diagnosis, prevention, and clinical management of this persistent global health threat, offering actionable strategies to reduce viral transmission and mitigate end-stage liver disease.