World Hepatitis Day 2023: "We're Not Waiting"

World Hepatitis Day (WHD) is celebrated annually on July 28, on behalf of the birthday of Dr. Baruch Blumberg. Dr. Blumberg discovered the hepatitis B virus in 1967, and 2 years later he developed the first hepatitis B vaccine. Organizations around the world, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations, commemorate WHD to create an opportunity for educating people about the burden of hepatitis, efforts to combat viral hepatitis around the world, and actions people can take to prevent these infections (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. World Hepatitis Day

Go to source).

Advertisement

Hepatitis – A Global Health Problem

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a viral infection. There are five main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D, and E. These five types are of greatest concern because of the burden of illness and death they cause and the potential for outbreaks and epidemic spread.

However, with the existing prevention, testing, and treatment services that are available, every hepatitis-related death is preventable. Though Hepatitis can affect anyone, it mainly affects the people and communities most undeserved by health systems.

The world is currently facing a new outbreak of unexplained acute hepatitis infections affecting children. Researchers around the world are working to understand the cause of this infection that does not appear to belong to any of these known 5 types of hepatitis viruses (2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
World Health Organization. World Hepatitis Day 2023

Go to source).

This new outbreak again brings back the focus on thousands of hepatitis infections that occur among children, adolescents, and adults every year.

Most acute hepatitis infections cause mild disease and even go undetected. But in some cases, they can lead to complications and be fatal. In 2019 alone, an estimated 78,000 deaths occurred worldwide due to complications of acute hepatitis A to E infections.

Global efforts are prioritizing the elimination of hepatitis infections B, C, and D infections. WHO aims to achieve hepatitis elimination by 2030.

While the guidance and tools to diagnose, treat, and prevent hepatitis are available, these services are often out of reach of communities and are sometimes present only at centralized/specialized hospitals.

Advertisement

What Is The Theme For World Hepatitis Day 2023?

The new campaign theme for World Hepatitis Day 2023 is “'We're not waiting”, highlighting the need to accelerate elimination efforts of viral hepatitis by providing testing and treatment for the people who need it.

It mainly emphasizes the importance of person-centered care and alignment of systems and integration of services to reach the goal of elimination by 2030.

To achieve hepatitis elimination, at least 60% of people living with hepatitis B and C must be diagnosed and at least 50% eligible for treatment must be cured (hepatitis C) or receiving treatment (hepatitis B) by 2025.

For this to happen, those in need must have access to hepatitis services that are accessible, and that are equitable, effective, efficient, timely, and of acceptable quality.

This campaign will also amplify the voices of people affected by hepatitis calling for immediate action and the end of stigma and discrimination.

Advertisement

How To Support Hepatitis Campaign?

One-Minute Actions

: Send world hepatitis day graphics to your contacts via WhatsApp and encourage them to join the campaign. Share one of our downloadable social media graphics with your followers. Don’t forget to tag us with #WorldHepatitisDay to join the online conversation (3^✔ ✔Trusted Source
World Hepatitis Day. Get Involved

Go to source).

Sign the pledge to show your commitment to hepatitis elimination. Create a 30-second Instagram reel with the WHD and Hep Can't-Wait GIF stickers with our hashtags #WHDRelay and #WorldHepatitisDay to share on your stories and pages. Add World Hepatitis Day branded frame to your Facebook profile.Point to the time to show the urgent need for action on hepatitis.

Ten-minute Actions

: Join the virtual global relay by submitting a 30-second video explaining what the elimination of viral hepatitis means to you. Create a poster to put up at your local community center, in your workplace, or place of worship to raise awareness. Apply to light up a local landmark green in support of WHD.

Longer Actions

: Hold an event or webinar to raise awareness of viral hepatitis. Ask your local billboard owners for advertising space to raise awareness of hepatitis on World Hepatitis Day. Set up a meeting or write a letter to your local policymaker.

You or someone close to you, or your loved ones can be impacted by hepatitis. Celebrate World Hepatitis Day as a community to increase awareness, talk about hepatitis and address the ongoing challenges of increasing prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Every year, more than a million lives are lost to hepatitis. We are not waiting for change – we are fighting to make it happen.

References:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. World Hepatitis Day.(https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/awareness/worldhepday.htm)
2. World Health Organization. World Hepatitis Day 2023.(https://www.who.int/westernpacific/news-room/events/detail/2023/07/28/western-pacific-events/world-hepatitis-day-2023)
3. World Hepatitis Day. Get Involved.(https://www.worldhepatitisday.org/get-involved/)

Source-Medindia