World Hepatitis Day

World Hepatitis Day is observed every year on 28 July to raise global awareness about hepatitis, encourage prevention, testing, and treatment, and promote public health action to combat viral hepatitis. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Dr Baruch Samuel Blumberg, the Nobel Prize-winning American scientist who discovered the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and developed its first vaccine.
It is one of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) officially recognised global public health days, highlighting the urgent need for collective action to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

Background and Significance

The global burden of viral hepatitis—primarily types A, B, C, D, and E—has long been underestimated despite being a major cause of liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. To address this, World Hepatitis Day was first organised in 2004 by the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA), an international non-governmental coalition of patient groups.
In 2010, the World Health Assembly (WHA) officially recognised 28 July as World Hepatitis Day, giving it the status of a global public health observance. The objective is to enhance political and public awareness of hepatitis and encourage countries to implement preventive and curative measures.
The day serves as an opportunity to:

• Educate people about the causes, transmission, and prevention of hepatitis.
• Encourage testing and vaccination, especially for hepatitis B and C.
• Support patients and combat stigma associated with the disease.
• Mobilise governments and healthcare systems to prioritise hepatitis control programmes.

Types of Viral Hepatitis

There are five main types of viral hepatitis, each caused by a distinct virus, differing in transmission routes, severity, and treatment methods:

• Hepatitis A (HAV):
  • Transmitted through contaminated food or water.
  • Generally acute and self-limiting; preventable through vaccination and sanitation.
• Hepatitis B (HBV):
  • Spread through contact with infected blood, unprotected sex, or from mother to child during birth.
  • Can become chronic, leading to liver cirrhosis or cancer.
  • Preventable by vaccination.
• Hepatitis C (HCV):
  • Primarily spread through blood-to-blood contact, unsafe injections, or contaminated medical equipment.
  • Often develops into chronic infection but is curable with antiviral drugs.
• Hepatitis D (HDV):
  • Occurs only in individuals already infected with hepatitis B.
  • Co-infection leads to more severe disease progression.
• Hepatitis E (HEV):
  • Transmitted via contaminated water, particularly in areas with poor sanitation.
  • Usually acute, but can be severe in pregnant women.

Collectively, these infections are responsible for over one million deaths annually worldwide—comparable to the mortality caused by HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.

Global Theme and Campaigns

Each year, World Hepatitis Day is observed under a specific global theme to focus international efforts. Recent themes have included:

• 2023: “We’re not waiting” – emphasising the urgency of accelerating testing, treatment, and prevention efforts.
• 2022: “Bringing hepatitis care closer to you” – promoting access to hepatitis services at the primary healthcare level.
• 2021: “Hepatitis can’t wait” – highlighting the importance of timely action even amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 2020: “Hepatitis-free future” – focusing on the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B.

These campaigns are coordinated globally by the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA), with active participation from governments, NGOs, and health institutions.

WHO’s Global Strategy on Viral Hepatitis

The World Health Organization has adopted the Global Health Sector Strategy (GHSS) on Viral Hepatitis (2016–2030) with the goal of eliminating hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
The key targets of this strategy include:

• 90% reduction in new hepatitis infections.
• 65% reduction in hepatitis-related deaths.
• Ensuring 90% diagnosis of people living with hepatitis B and C.
• Achieving 80% access to treatment for eligible patients.

WHO’s approach emphasises prevention through vaccination, safe blood and injection practices, harm reduction for drug users, and improved sanitation.

Activities and Observances

On World Hepatitis Day, a wide range of activities are organised globally to promote awareness and action:

• Public Health Campaigns: Information drives through social media, posters, and community events to educate people about symptoms, transmission, and prevention.
• Free Screening and Vaccination Camps: Conducted by hospitals, NGOs, and government health departments.
• Workshops and Seminars: For healthcare professionals to discuss new research, policy initiatives, and treatment innovations.
• Government Announcements: Launch of national strategies, action plans, or awareness programmes.
• Lighting of Landmarks: Iconic buildings are illuminated in yellow (the colour symbolising hepatitis awareness).

Hepatitis Burden and Global Statistics

According to WHO Global Hepatitis Report (2023):

• Over 350 million people live with chronic hepatitis B and C infections worldwide.
• Approximately 1.1 million deaths occur annually due to hepatitis-related liver disease.
• About 10% of people with chronic hepatitis B and 21% with hepatitis C are aware of their infection.
• Many new infections are preventable through safe injection practices, screened blood transfusions, and vaccination programmes.

World Hepatitis Day in India

India bears a significant portion of the global hepatitis burden, especially for hepatitis B and C. Recognising this, the Government of India launched the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) in July 2018 under the National Health Mission (NHM).
Objectives of NVHCP include:

• Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of viral hepatitis.
• Awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and promote vaccination.
• Free testing and treatment for hepatitis B and C at government health facilities.
• Integration with programmes such as the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) and National Blood Transfusion Council.

Every year, India observes World Hepatitis Day through public awareness drives, medical camps, and community outreach initiatives led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with WHO and partner organisations.

Prevention and Control Strategies

Preventing and controlling viral hepatitis requires a combination of public health measures, medical interventions, and behavioural changes.
Key preventive measures include:

• Vaccination: Hepatitis B vaccine is part of India’s Universal Immunisation Programme. Hepatitis A vaccine is also available.
• Safe Medical Practices: Use of sterile needles, safe blood transfusion, and proper infection control in healthcare facilities.
• Improved Sanitation: Ensuring clean water and hygienic food to prevent hepatitis A and E.
• Health Education: Raising awareness about risk factors such as unsafe sex, drug use, and unregulated tattooing.
• Screening and Early Diagnosis: Regular testing for high-risk groups like healthcare workers and people receiving frequent blood transfusions.
• Treatment Access: Expanding access to antiviral medicines for hepatitis B and C.

Importance of Awareness

Public ignorance about hepatitis remains one of the greatest barriers to its elimination. Many individuals living with chronic hepatitis are unaware of their infection until severe liver damage occurs. World Hepatitis Day thus serves as a reminder that early detection and treatment can save lives.
Awareness also helps reduce stigma, encourage voluntary testing, and motivate people to complete vaccination schedules.