Hungary's High Hepatitis Death Rate and New Breast Cancer Screening Call

Eurostat data released for World Hepatitis Day show a sharp decline in virus‑related hepatitis deaths across the EU, falling to 3,172 in 2023 – the lowest since records began in 2011. Despite the overall improvement, Hungary recorded a standardized hepatitis mortality rate of 0.84 deaths per 100,000 people, placing it fourth worst in the bloc after Italy, Latvia and Austria and well above the EU average of 0.64.

In parallel, Hungarian health authorities are urging women to attend free cancer screenings. Under the National Public Health Programme, women aged 45‑65 receive biennial breast‑cancer screening invitations, while women aged 25‑65 are invited for cervical‑cancer checks every three years. About 7,500 new breast‑cancer cases and 2,800 deaths occur annually in Hungary, and cervical cancer adds roughly 1,000 new cases and 400 deaths each year. Low participation rates have been cited as a barrier to early detection, prompting a renewed call for women to utilise the free screening services.

These health updates underline persistent challenges in Hungary’s disease prevention efforts despite broader EU progress.