Last updated on : 15 Jul, 2024
Read time : 7 min
Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver that causes a range of health problems, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. There are five main strains of the Hepatitis virus – A, B, C, D and E. Together, Hepatitis B and C are known to be the most common death-causing ones.
Globally, 354 million people are living with viral Hepatitis B and C. There are approximately 1.2 million new infections of Hepatitis B each year, and it causes an estimated 1.1 million deaths every year. While there are 1.0 million new infections of Hepatitis C occurring every year, and thousands of people die because of it. Even amid the Covid-19 pandemic, viral Hepatitis took thousands of lives globally every day.
WHO calls on all countries to work together to eliminate viral Hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. Learn more about World Hepatitis Day, its awareness, history, significance, and 2024 theme.
World Hepatitis Day is recognised annually on the 28th of July. The date was chosen to honour the birthday of Dr Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the Hepatitis B virus and developed the Hepatitis B vaccine. It is set aside to provide global awareness about the importance of knowing about Hepatitis and to engross the world to take preventative measures. It also makes sure that safe and satisfactory treatment is offered for those who are suffering from this condition. World Hepatitis day is one of the WHO’s official public health campaigns.
World Hepatitis Day was recognised in 2008 to draw attention to this disease, its treatment and prevention globally. In 2010, the World Health Assembly presented the official document defining 28 July as World Hepatitis Day after observing the worldwide prevalence of viral Hepatitis. The chosen day happens to be the birthday of Dr. Baruch Blumberg who discovered Hepatitis B virus and developed a vaccine against this virus. For his efforts in Hepatitis research, he was awarded the 1976 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Therefore, World Hepatitis Day has been celebrated since that year in conjunction with an ever-growing number of countries and communities. Various events and campaigns are held every year on this day to educate people, perform free or inexpensive testing, and promote proper vaccination. The first event took place at the International Scientific Conference in Moscow. Since then, many countries have hosted and participated in various activities to spread awareness about this disease.
In this way, World Hepatitis Day has become one of the significant days throughout the year promoting collaborative efforts to eliminate the condition or at least decrease its impact on people.
World Hepatitis Day is important as an ‘awareness-raising’ day, in the worldwide call for the raising of awareness on viral Hepatitis. It is a day for different communities, as well as people and policymakers, to learn about the different types of Hepatitis, as well as information on prevention, testing and treatment. It encourages communities worldwide to come forward to stop the growing number of Hepatitis cases and deaths. Through World Hepatitis Day, the need for increasing global vaccination, early diagnosis and access to higher quality of care is highlighted, in ensuring that the WHO target of elimination of viral Hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030 is achieved.
In 2024, World Hepatitis Day’s theme is “Hepatitis Can’t Wait”. This year’s theme emphasises that we need to focus even more on accelerated efforts in testing, treating, and preventing Hepatitis infection. The theme calls for immediate action to save lives, reduce new infections, and improve access to care. It highlights the following key messages:
Hepatitis A and C are curable strains of Hepatitis. Hepatitis B, D and E are not curable, but these can be managed effectively with antiviral medications. It is best to implement safe practices to prevent these strains. Here are the best preventive measures for Hepatitis:
World Hepatitis Day raises global awareness about viral Hepatitis, guides access to testing and treatment, promotes prevention measures such as vaccination and safe practices, and aims to reduce the stigma associated with Hepatitis.
Getting vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B is the best preventive measure for these stains of Hepatitis. Other than that, hygiene, avoiding sharing personal items like, razors, and toothbrushes, wearing protective clothing in hospital and avoiding alcohol can help prevent Hepatitis spread.
According to WHO, World Hepatitis Day aims to raise awareness, prevent viral infection, and improve the lives of individuals affected by this chronic condition by reducing the burden of viral Hepatitis worldwide. It enables us to have more knowledge, take action, and encourage others to do so.
You can participate in World Hepatitis Day by attending local events or webinars, sharing educational resources on social media posts to help raise awareness of Hepatitis, and engaging in community screenings or vaccinations to viral Hepatitis.
Workplaces can also contribute to the prevention of Hepatitis by introducing vaccination programs, teaching staff about hygiene and the importance of handwashing, raising awareness about different routes of transmission and various symptoms of Hepatitis, and ensuring that the workplace is clean and safe and that all medical garbage is disposed of properly.
Disclaimer
Our healthcare experts have carefully reviewed and compiled the information presented here to ensure accuracy and trustworthiness. It is important to note that this information serves as a general overview of the topic and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or cure any health problem. This page does not establish a doctor-patient relationship, nor does it replace the advice or consultation of a registered medical practitioner. We recommend seeking guidance from your registered medical practitioner for any questions or concerns regarding your medical condition.
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