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Published on: Oct 28, 2020
2 minute read
By: Dr Rajan ( Medical Second Opinion Cell)

Hepatitis C Nobel Prize

Earlier this month the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine was jointly awarded to Harvey J Alter, Michael Houghton and Charles M Rice for the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus. This helped push our understanding of blood-borne hepatitis, a major global health problem that is one of the leading causes of cirrhosis and liver cancer alongside Hepatitis B. It led the way in introducing new tests for chronic hepatitis as well as new treatments that have saved the lives of millions.

HEPATITIS

Hepatitis is the inflammation of your liver, the largest solid organ in your body. Though there are numerous other causes of hepatitis, including alcohol abuse, drugs and toxins (including paracetamol overdose), and autoimmune disorders (such as Wilson’s disease), viral infections are the most common worldwide causes for hepatitis. Hepatitis A was the first to be discovered, transmitted by polluted food and water, and results in a short-term transient hepatitis. Hepatitis B on the other hand is transmitted through blood and is more of an issue as it can lead to chronic cirrhosis and possible liver cancer. It can remain indolent in a person, causing disease long after the initial infection.

Blood borne hepatitis was first discovered in the 1960s, when it was found that some patients would become ill after receiving blood transfusions. Despite this discovery and new tests for Hepatitis B reducing the number of transfusion related hepatitis, a large number of cases remained.

NOT A, NOT B

Harvey Alter, working at the US National Institute of Health, was studying the occurrence of hepatitis in blood transfusion patients. His team showed that blood from these infected patients could transmit the disease to chimpanzees, resulting in hepatitis. This agent had the properties of a virus, one that was “non-A, non B” hepatitis.

Further investigation into the virus would require the input of Michael Houghton, working for Chiron pharmaceutical. His team created a collection of DNA fragments found in the blood of infected chimpanzees. Though the majority of these fragments were from the chimpanzee, enough were from the virus. They were able to utilise this information to identify antibodies against the suspected virus, and ultimately identify it as the flavivirus Hepatitis C.

The final piece of the puzzle was shown by Charles M Rice, a researcher at Washington University, St Louis – could the virus alone cause hepatitis. He studied the RNA of Hepatitis C to identify regions that may be used for replication, and areas that might hinder replication. This was key as the virus can lay dormant for years, replicating at a slow rate before causing damage to the liver. For researchers, this was an issue as it was not feasible to wait years and see if the suspected virus caused hepatitis. By genetically engineering the viral genome, he developed a variant of Hepatitis C that would only multiple rapidly and have no mechanism to inactivate itself for dormancy. This strain caused rapid changes to the livers of infected chimpanzees; the same changes seen in hepatitis patients.

. ;.,hrvxzThe impact was significant. Prior to this, receiving a blood transfusion was like Russian Roulette. You were receiving life saving therapy, but it coZuld also be a hidden death sentence. Now that hepatitis had been discovered, it became possible to screen patients prior to donation, to screen blood transfusion bags, and to start developing treatments for the virus.

The fight is not over yet. There are still over 70 million people who still live with the virus, and it still kills around 400,000 a year. Its only very recently that we have found treatments that can reduce the viral load in patients to levels that they are considered cured. This treatment remains expensive, and we are very far away from eradication itself.

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20% Health Time | A Smarter Way to Build Workplace Wellbeing

Modern workplaces are increasingly recognising that employee health is not separate from performance—it is foundational to it. Long work hours, constant digital connectivity and rising stress levels have led to burnout, lifestyle diseases and declining engagement across industries. In this context, the concept of 20% Health Time has emerged as a forward-thinking approach to workplace wellness.

20% Health Time allows employees to dedicate a portion of their paid working hours specifically to activities that support physical, mental and preventive health. Rather than treating wellness as an after-hours responsibility, this model integrates health directly into the work culture.

What Is 20% Health Time?

20% Health Time is a structured workplace initiative where employees are encouraged or allowed to spend approximately one-fifth of their working time on health-related activities.

These activities may include:

physical exercise or movement breaks
mental wellness practices
health education sessions
preventive health screenings
stress management and recovery

The core idea is simple: healthier employees perform better and sustain productivity longer.

Why Traditional Wellness Programs Fall Short

Many organisations offer wellness benefits such as gym memberships or annual checkups. While valuable, these programs often fail because:

employees lack time to use them
wellness is seen as optional
participation remains low
benefits are disconnected from daily work

20% Health Time addresses these gaps by embedding wellness into regular work hours.

Why Health Time Matters in Today’s Workplace

Rising Lifestyle Disease Burden

Public health data shows increasing rates of:

diabetes
hypertension
obesity
mental health disorders

These conditions affect working-age adults and directly impact productivity and healthcare costs.

Burnout and Mental Fatigue

Constant pressure and lack of recovery time lead to:

chronic stress
disengagement
absenteeism
high attrition

Health Time creates space for recovery and resilience.

Sedentary Work Culture

Desk-bound work contributes to:

musculoskeletal problems
cardiovascular risk
low energy levels

Dedicated health time encourages movement and prevention.

How 20% Health Time Benefits Employees

Improved Physical Health

Regular movement and preventive care reduce long-term health risks.

Better Mental Wellbeing

Time for mindfulness, rest and stress management improves emotional balance.

Higher Energy and Focus

Healthy routines improve concentration and reduce fatigue.

Empowerment and Autonomy

Employees feel trusted to manage their wellbeing, increasing engagement.

How Employers Benefit from 20% Health Time

Increased Productivity

Healthy employees work more efficiently and make fewer errors.

Reduced Absenteeism

Preventive care lowers sick days and health-related disruptions.

Lower Healthcare Costs

Early detection and healthier habits reduce long-term medical expenses.

Stronger Employer Brand

Wellbeing-focused policies attract and retain top talent.

Sustainable Performance

Health Time supports long-term performance rather than short-term output.

Activities That Fit into 20% Health Time

Organisations can tailor activities based on workforce needs:

guided fitness or yoga sessions
walking or movement breaks
mental health workshops
preventive health checkups
nutrition education
stress and sleep management programs

Flexibility ensures inclusivity across roles and work models.

Evidence Supporting Health Time Initiatives

Workplace health research consistently shows that:

preventive health improves productivity
employee wellbeing programs reduce burnout
time invested in health yields measurable returns

According to WHO and workplace wellness studies, integrated health initiatives deliver better outcomes than standalone benefits.

Addressing Common Concerns

“Will this reduce working hours?”

No. Health Time improves efficiency, offsetting time spent through better performance.

“Is it suitable for high-pressure roles?”

Yes. High-stress roles benefit the most from structured recovery time.

“How do we measure impact?”

Metrics may include:

reduced absenteeism
improved engagement scores
lower healthcare claims
better retention

Implementing 20% Health Time Effectively

Successful implementation requires:

leadership support
clear guidelines
flexible scheduling
inclusive activity options
regular feedback

Health Time works best when seen as a cultural shift, not a perk.

Long-Term Impact on Organisational Health

Over time, organisations adopting Health Time observe:

healthier workforce
improved morale
reduced burnout
stronger team cohesion
sustainable growth

These benefits compound year after year.

Conclusion

20% Health Time represents a progressive shift in how organisations view employee wellbeing. By dedicating work time to health, companies acknowledge that productivity and wellbeing are deeply connected. Rather than reacting to burnout and illness, Health Time promotes prevention, balance and resilience. In a future where talent, performance and sustainability matter more than ever, integrating health into the workday is not a luxury—it is a strategic necessity.

References

World Health Organization (WHO) – Workplace Health Promotion Guidelines
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Lifestyle Disease and Work Health Reports
NITI Aayog – Preventive Healthcare and Workforce Wellbeing Strateg
Lancet – Workplace Wellness and Productivity Studies
Harvard Business Review – Employee Wellbeing and Performance Research
Statista – Corporate Wellness Trends and ROI Data

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