World Hepatitis Day is an opportunity to strengthen national and international efforts to combat hepatitis and to raise awareness on viral hepatitis which causes serious diseases that may lead to liver cancer.
Official Date: July 28
This day was chosen to celebrate World Hepatitis Day internationally in honor of Dr. Baruch Blumberg’s birthday. Dr. Blumberg created a test to diagnose the hepatitis B virus and its vaccine.
Key Focus Areas
- Raise awareness on viral hepatitis and its life-threatening risks.
- Educate people to reduce deaths from cirrhosis and liver cancer.
- Support patients with viral hepatitis so they can receive appropriate treatment.
- Encourage individuals, communities, and governments to create a greater global response to viral hepatitis threats.
- Increase the coverage of tests and treatments to eliminate this disease by 2030.
Top Facts
- Viral hepatitis is the seventh leading cause of death globally.
- In 2019 alone, it is estimated that 78,000 deaths occurred worldwide due to complications of acute hepatitis A to E infections.
- More than 95% of hepatitis-related deaths result from hepatitis B, C, and E infections.
- This disease threatens 354 million people worldwide, with at least one person dying from viral hepatitis every 30 seconds.