Viral hepatitis remains a serious public health problem in many countries of Central Asia and Eastern Europe. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set the goal to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. However, in these regions, the level of public awareness and the effectiveness of health information programs may influence the success of prevention. The use of digital epidemiology, especially the analysis of online search behavior through Google Trends, can help to understand how well the population is informed about hepatitis risks. This study analyzed acute hepatitis incidence from 2018–2023 in Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. National surveillance data were compared with Google Trends search activity to assess the relationship between disease rates and public awareness. Results showed that hepatitis incidence remained high or stable across most countries. Online search interest was low or declining in Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan, indicating weak information programs. In contrast, Kyrgyzstan and Russia showed increased search activity, particularly after the COVID-19 period. Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan showed slight growth in search interest, although incidence rates remained high. These differences suggest that public awareness does not always follow the real epidemiological situation. The COVID-19 pandemic likely influenced the decrease in hepatitis awareness during 2020–2022, as health systems focused on coronavirus control. Digital epidemiology helps track public interest and inform health planning. Countries with low search activity but high incidence should strengthen health education to meet WHO hepatitis elimination targets.
