World Hepatitis Day: Date, Theme, History & Importance!

Are you aware of the global health threat posed by hepatitis? Each year, 1.4 million people lose their lives due to cirrhosis and liver cancer caused by viral hepatitis. Therefore, World Hepatitis Day is celebrated globally to create awareness and take action against this preventable disease. ¹

So, join us as we uncover fascinating facts about this significant day and discover how we can make a difference in the fight against hepatitis.

World Hepatitis Day

World Hepatitis Day is observed on July 28^th each year. As this year World Hepatitis Day falls on a fabulous Friday, so get ready to kickstart your weekend in a remarkable way! It's a golden opportunity to make a positive impact in the fight against hepatitis.

World Hepatitis Day Theme

Each year, World Hepatitis Day adopts a specific theme to focus its efforts and promote targeted actions. The themes often revolve around raising awareness, encouraging testing, and promoting access to treatment. The theme for World Hepatitis Day has not been officially announced yet! However, previous themes have included "Hepatitis-free future" (2020) and "Hepatitis Can't Wait" (2021).

World Hepatitis Day History

Every year on July 28^th, World Hepatitis Day is celebrated to honour the birthday of Dr. Baruch Blumberg, who sadly passed away in 2011. He played a vital role in enhancing our knowledge of hepatitis B. In 1967, he made the remarkable discovery of the hepatitis B virus. Merely two years later, he developed the very first vaccine for hepatitis B. These significant contributions resulted in Dr. Blumberg being recognized as a Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine in 1976. The choice to celebrate World Hepatitis Day on July 28^th is a way to pay tribute to Dr. Blumberg's groundbreaking achievement in discovering the hepatitis B virus, as it aligns with his birthday.²

World Hepatitis Day Significance

As said above, hepatitis, a liver disease caused by five main viruses (A, B, C, D, and E), affects an estimated 325 million people worldwide, leading to approximately 1.4 million deaths every year. Therefore, World Hepatitis Day holds a significant role in raising awareness among people.¹ 

There are many unique ideas through which one can highlight its significance.

Raise Awareness

Organise educational events, workshops, or webinars to inform your community about the risks, prevention methods, and available treatments for viral hepatitis.

Get Tested

Encourage individuals to undergo hepatitis testing, particularly those belonging to high-risk groups or with potential exposure to the virus.

Support Vaccination

Promote the importance of hepatitis vaccinations, especially for hepatitis B, by sharing information and resources.

Advocate For Change

Reach out to policy makers and health organisations to actively support and promote preventive measures, diagnostics, and affordable treatment options.

Share Resources

Utilise social media platforms to share educational materials, personal stories, and key messages related to viral hepatitis.

Ending Notes!

World Hepatitis Day serves as a reminder of the global impact of viral hepatitis and the urgent need to prevent and eliminate this disease. By actively participating on this day, we can make a significant contribution to raising awareness, promoting testing and vaccination, and advocating for better access to treatment. Together, we can pave the way for a world free of viral hepatitis and ensure a healthier future for all. World Hepatitis Day is our chance to be part of this transformative journey towards a brighter and hepatitis-free world. Let's seize this moment and create a lasting impact together!