Basic Information about WHD
World Hepatitis Day is an annual event observed on 28 April to increase the awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis and the diseases that it causes.
Observed on: July 28
Organized by: WHO, UN
Introduced in: 2010
Observed: Worldwide
About World Hepatitis Day
Every year on 28 July, WHO and partners mark World Hepatitis Day to increase the awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis and the diseases that it causes.
Following the adoption of a resolution during the 63rd World Health Assembly in may 2010, World Hepatitis Day was given global endorsement as the primary focus for national and international awareness – raising efforts. The day 28 July was chosen in honour of the birthday of Nobel Laureate Professor Baruch Samuel Blumberg, discoverer of the hepatitis B virus.
Viral hepatitis – a group of infectious diseases known as hepatitis A, B, C, D and E – affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, causing acute and chronic liver disease and killing close to 1.4 million people every year.
Hepatitis are transmitted through different routes: Hepatitis A and E through contaminated food and water; Hepatitis B – through blood and other bodily fluids; Hepatitis C – mostly through blood; and Hepatitis D – serving as an additional infection in the presence of hepatitis B.
WHD observation provides an opportunity to focus on specific actions, such as:
- Strengthening prevention, screening and control of viral hepatitis and its related diseases
- Increasing hepatitis B vaccine coverage and integration of the vaccine into national immunization programs.
- Coordinating a global response to viral hepatitis.
Some Facts about Hepatitis
- 240 million people are chronically infected with Hepatitis B virus.
- 150 million people are chronically infected with Hepatitis C virus.
- Hepatitis E can induce a mortality rate of 20% among pregnant women in their third trimester.
Programs and Activities on Hepatitis Day
In May 2014, World Health Assembly delegates from 194 governments adopted a resolution to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of viral hepatitis.
On World Hepatitis Day, 28 July 2014, WHO and partners will urge policymakers, health workers and the public to ‘Think again’ about this silent killer.
Hepatitis groups, patients and advocates worldwide take part in events on 28 July to mark the occasion. WHD observation is now recognized in over 100 countries each year through events such as free drives, amongst many others.
Information about WHD observation is usually distributed via social media, newspapers, posters, and through the World Health Organization (WHO) website.
Theme for World Hepatitis Day
World Hepatitis Day 2020 Theme is “Find the Missing Millions“
World Hepatitis Day 2019 Theme is “Find The missing Millions“
Hepatitis Day 2018 Theme was “Test. Treat. Hepatitis“
2017 Theme: Eliminate hepatitis
2016 Theme: Know Hepatitis-Act now
2015 Theme: Prevention of viral Hepatitis. Act now
2014 Theme: Hepatitis, Think Again
2013 Theme: More must be done to stop this silent killer
2012 Theme: It’s closer than you think
2011 Theme: Hepatitis affects everyone, everywhere, know it. Confront it.