World Hepatitis Day

Held on : 28th July

Hepatitis simply means inflammation of the liver and can be caused by a wide range of things. One of the most common causes of chronic (long-term) hepatitis is viral infection. Hepatitis B and C represent one of the major threats to global health. Hepatitis B and C are both silent viruses and one could be infected for many years without knowing it. If left untreated, both viruses can lead to liver scarring (cirrhosis), and potentially to liver cancer, liver failure and death. Hepatitis B and C are two such viruses, that together, they kill approximately 1 million people a year. 500 million people around the world are currently infected with chronic hepatitis B or C and one in three people have been exposed to one or both viruses. Unlike hepatitis C, hepatitis B can be prevented through effective vaccination.

History - World Hepatitis Alliance is a non-governmental organisation that represents approximately 200 hepatitis B and hepatitis C patient groups from around the world. As a coalition of advocacy groups, the World Hepatitis Alliance is a global voice for the 500 million people worldwide living with chronic viral hepatitis B or C. World Hepatitis Day was launched by it in 2008 in response to the concern that chronic viral hepatitis has, nowhere, near the level of awareness nor the political will to tackle it, that is seen in HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. This is despite the fact that the numbers chronically infected with, and annually killed by, the hepatitis B and C viruses are on the same scale. World Hepatitis Day 2008 laid the foundations for sustained global disease awareness, and the aim for 2009 is to continue to raise awareness of viral hepatitis B and C around the globe. 

During the 63rd World Health Assembly in May 2010, a viral hepatitis resolution was adopted and the day was given global endorsement as the primary focus for national and international awareness-raising efforts. The annual date from 19^th May was changed to July 28^th in honour of Nobel Laureate Prof. Baruch Samuel Blumberg who discovered the hepatitis B virus and whose birthday also falls on this day.

The resolution resolves that:

"1. 28 July shall be designated as World Hepatitis Day in order to provide an opportunity for education and greater understanding of viral hepatitis as a global public health problem, and to stimulate the strengthening of preventive and control measures of this disease in Member States;"

World Hepatitis Day receives formal endorsement from several governments, including those of Algeria, Argentina, Australia, China, Scotland and the UK. It also received endorsement from organisations such as Médicins Sans Frontières, GAVI Alliance and the Pan American Health Organisation.

Events - In 2008, World Hepatitis Day generated massive public and media interest, as well as support from governments, high-profile Non-Governmental Organisations and supranational bodies such as the World Health Organization.  In its first year, more than 160 events took place around the world, from rock concerts to press briefings, and ministerial meetings to fund-raising events.

Theme - On 19th May 2009 the World Hepatitis Alliance coordinated the second truly global World Hepatitis Day. ‘Am I Number 12?’ was the theme of World Hepatitis Day, which took place worldwide on 19th May. This was done due to the statistices according to which - 'One in 12 people worldwide are also living with either chronic hepatitis B or chronic hepatitis C'. While this is far higher than the prevalence of HIV or any cancer, awareness is inexplicably low and the majority of those infected are unaware.

Holiday Status - It is not a Public Holiday