World Hepatitis Day, July 28th, is a global initiative aiming to raise awareness about the global health concern of hepatitis viruses and establish collaboration for the elimination of the virus.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), viral hepatitis is the second leading cause of death globally, with 1.3 million deaths per year. There are multiple types of hepatitis, including hepatitis B and C. Chronic hepatitis viruses can lead to serious and deadly consequences, such as liver cancer, liver failure, cirrhosis, and more
World Hepatitis Day aligns with many Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) adopted in 2015. For example, for SDG 3 concerning good health and well-being, World Hepatitis Day contributes by the fact that the initiative raises awareness and helps prevent hepatitis viruses. For SDG 17 about partnerships, World Hepatitis Day has also fostered a multi-stakeholder collaboration, consisting of governments, international organizations, and civil society, to eliminate hepatitis and work towards the future.
Over the past years, each World Hepatitis Day has had a specific theme, including “We’re Not Waiting” from last year and “Hepatitis Free Future” in 2020. This year’s theme is “It’s Time to Act.”
World Hepatitis Day is a great way for people to raise awareness of hepatitis viruses and protect each other through advocacy. Every year, it promotes global health and international collaboration to strive for a healthier future.
