The national AIDS plan in Germany expired in 2016. In the run-up, it was discussed whether this should be converted into an "integral" action plan in order to integrate diseases that occur in the same risk groups (STDs and hepatitis). At the same time, there was a therapy revolution for HCV: for the first time, drugs were available that achieved a cure in up to 90% of those affected. However, the costs of this therapy were a hurdle for the health care system in Germany. The fear that the health system could collapse was publicly expressed.

The aim of the ECO-Hep Report was to show that Germany can afford to eliminate HCV from a cost and health perspective.

In cooperation with the Institute for Epidemiology, Social Medicine and Health Systems Research of the MHH (Hanover, Germany), the EU-known institute Quantify Research (Stockholm, Sweden), the Center for Disease Analysis (Colorado, USA) and 15 experts from the field of hepatology a holistic concept was set up, in which the above-mentioned calculation is carried out on the one hand, and on the other hand a communication concept was developed in which the exchange with the actors relevant to the project was guaranteed in the long term: Federal Ministry of Health, Health Committee of the Bundestag, health insurance companies, pension insurance and social security institutions .

The report, published in January 2016, was presented at a press conference by the spokesman for the Health Committee of the Bundestag. The results influenced the discussion in such a way that the elimination of HCV was anchored in the national strategy plan "BIS2030" and the health insurance companies made an extra budget of €1.4 billion available. In the follow-up, Report also served as a trailblazer for including testing for HBV and HCV in Check-up 35 (health check-up).

The Eco-Hep Report was financially supported by Gilead Sciences.