Viral HOPE Policy Roundtables
The Viral HOPE Policy Roundtables are a core component of the Viral Hepatitis Outcomes & Pathways to Elimination (HOPE) Programme, designed to accelerate European progress towards the 2030 WHO elimination goals.
Through two high level policy roundtables convened in Brussels, the programme aims to elevate liver health within EU public health priorities, strengthen political commitment, and promote coordinated, evidence based strategies for viral hepatitis elimination across Europe. The roundtables will position EASL as a trusted scientific and policy partner for EU institutions and Member States.
Needs Assessment
Viral hepatitis presents a significant opportunity for progress within European health policy, given the availability of effective tools for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. At the same time, important challenges remain in ensuring that these tools are implemented equitably and at scale across Europe. Persistent differences between countries remain in early detection efforts, continuity of care, access to essential diagnostic tools, and the availability of high-quality data to support informed decision-making.
Addressing these challenges will require strengthening the consistency and comparability of evidence across Member States, alongside more integrated and sustained policy dialogue among researchers, clinicians, patient organisations, and decision-makers. The HOPE Policy Roundtables respond to both the opportunity and the challenge by providing a structured forum for exchange, promoting best practices, and translating scientific evidence into clear, actionable policy recommendations.
The Viral HOPE Policy Roundtables are designed as a targeted policy platform to advance a set of interconnected strategic objectives that support Europe’s progress toward viral hepatitis elimination and reinforce liver health as a public health priority.
Position liver health within EU public health priorities
Advocate for integrating viral hepatitis elimination into European health policies, highlighting the clinical, economic, and societal benefits and ensuring equitable access to screening and treatment.
Accelerate evidence-based pathways for elimination
Showcase EASL’s scientific leadership in developing and disseminating best practices for screening, linkage to care, and micro-elimination strategies.
Strengthen political commitment and resource mobilisation
Advocate for high-level support for EU-wide coordination and measurable targets to meet the 2030 WHO elimination goal, positioning EASL as a key partner.
The Viral HOPE Policy Roundtables are expected to generate concrete policy and advocacy outcomes that support progress toward viral hepatitis elimination across Europe, including:
- Improved understanding among policymakers and stakeholders of the urgency, feasibility, and public health value of viral hepatitis elimination in Europe
- Insights from new research on screening strategies, linkage to care, treatment pathways, micro elimination approaches, and European wide inequities
- Strengthened dialogue and collaboration between policymakers, clinicians, researchers, and patient representatives
- Development and launch of a Policy Position Paper, outlining concrete recommendations to support stronger EU level coordination, investment, and accountability
- EU and national policymakers
Public health authorities
Clinicians and health professionals
Researchers and academic experts
Medical and scientific organisations
Save the date
Further details on agendas, speakers, and participation will be published closer to each event. Outputs from the roundtables, including policy recommendations and publications, will be made available following the meetings.