World Hepatitis Day, observed annually on July 28, h aims to raise awareness of viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that may cause severe liver disease and liver cancer and affects about 304 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

 

This year’s theme, “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,” urges action to identify and reduce financial, social and systemic barriers impeding hepatitis elimination and liver cancer prevention.

 

 

According to the World Hepatitis Alliance, this year’s awareness day focuses on advocacy, education and awareness; stigma and discrimination; and financing for viral hepatitis, including investment cases and the impact of recent funding cuts.

 

 

Viral hepatitis—which includes hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D and hepatitis E—affects millions of people worldwide and leads to more than 1 million deaths every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis B and C can cause other serious health problems, such as liver cancer and cirrhosis.

 

The global awareness day is observed on July 28 in honor of Baruch Blumberg, who was born on that day. Blumberg discovered the hepatitis B virus in 1967 and developed the first hepatitis B vaccine two years later..

 

 

The annual campaign seeks to promote access to testing, treatment and vaccination, end stigma against people living with hepatitis and increase funding for efforts to end hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

 

This year, the WHO is hosting several webinars featuring expert discussions on ways to expand access to hepatitis vaccines, improve testing, achieve hepatitis elimination goals and more. What’s more, the World Hepatitis Day website offers several fact sheets on all types of hepatitis, shareable campaign materials and unique stories from people around the world living with and researching hepatitis.

 

To get involved, visit the World Hepatitis Day website.