World Hepatitis Day – ‘Find the Missing Millions’

Highlights:

World Hepatitis Day is celebrated annually on 28th July to create awareness on the global burden of viral hepatitis
Around 290 million people are living with viral hepatitis unaware worldwide
The theme for 2020 is ‘Find The Missing Millions’.

World Hepatitis Day is celebrated annually on July 28th. Organizations around the world celebrate World Hepatitis Day to raise awareness on the global burden of viral hepatitis and to eliminate hepatitis by 2030. The theme for 2020 is ‘Find The Missing Millions.’

Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that causes a range of health problems and can be fatal. They result in both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) liver disease.

There are five main types of hepatitis virus- A,B,C,D,E. The five types are distinct and can spread in various ways, affect different populations, and finally can result in various health outcomes. Mainly, types B and C are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis, cancer, and other hepatitis-related deaths.

Liver Failure - Types, Causes, Symptoms, Complications, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention
Liver failure occurs when the liver loses its ability to perform its normal functions of regeneration or repair. It can be a gradual or a sudden process.

‘World Hepatitis Day is celebrated on 28th July every year around the world. It raises awareness about the global burden of viral hepatitis. The 2020 theme is ‘Find the Missing Millions.’ Find the undiagnosed people and link them to treatment.’
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What makes Hepatitis a Global Health Problem?

Hepatitis B and C cause 1.3 million deaths every year
Hepatitis B and C kill more people annually compared to HIV, Tuberculosis, and malaria
Hepatitis B and C are accountable for about 2 out of 3 liver cancer deaths
Hepatitis B and C are silent epidemics, 91% of people with Hepatitis B and 80% of the people with Hepatitis C are unaware of their infections
Around 290 million people around the world are living with viral hepatitis unaware
Birthdose vaccines aren’t used in half the countries worldwide even though they cost as low as 20 cents
Eliminating hepatitis B and C as threats by 2030 would prevent almost 36 million infections and save 10 million lives

What makes Hepatitis a Major Health Issue in India?

According to WHO, liver disease is the tenth most common cause of death in India
Around one in five people are affected with liver disease in India
There are about 50 million carriers of viral hepatitis in India

Indian Government Pledges To Get Rid of Viral Hepatitis By 2030
J.P. Nadda, the Indian health minister has recently launched a 'National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme' with a goal to end viral hepatitis by 2030.

Genesis of World Hepatitis Day

The World Hepatitis Alliance, in collaboration with patient groups, declared in 2008 that May 19 would be global World Hepatitis Day. However, in May 2010, the date of World Hepatitis Day was changed to July 28, the birthday of the Nobel laureate Dr. Baruch Blumberg.

In 1967, Dr. Blumberg discovered the hepatitis B virus. Dr. Blumberg also developed the first hepatitis B vaccine two years later. These achievements led to Dr. Blumberg winning the Nobel Prize in 1976.

Common Types of Liver diseases leading to Liver Transplantation
Liver disease that ends in liver failure (end stage liver disease), disrupting several important metabolic functions needs liver transplant for patient survival.

World Hepatitis Day Theme 2020- ‘Find the Missing Millions’

Globally, there are about 290 million people who are currently unaware of their viral hepatitis infection. It is crucial to find the undiagnosed people as millions will continue to suffer, and lives will be lost.

The theme of 2020 ‘Find the Missing Millions’ focuses on finding undiagnosed people the ‘missing millions’ by raising awareness about viral hepatitis.

WHO Theme for World Hepatitis Day, 2020

World Health Organization’s (WHO) WHO’s theme for this year’s World Hepatitis Day is ‘Hepatitis-free future.’

The theme focuses on preventing hepatitis B in mothers and newborns. WHO will also be publishing new recommendations to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the virus on World Hepatitis Day.

The main goals for this year’s WHO theme are:

Prevention – Vaccination of all newborns against hepatitis B at birth, with at least two additional doses
Stop Transmission from Mother to Child - Testing of all pregnant women for hepatitis virus and treatment if required
Leave No One Behind – Universal access to prevention, testing, and treatment options for the hepatitis virus
Expand - Expand access to testing and treatment to prevent liver cancer and other liver diseases
Maintain - Maintain all essential hepatitis services during COVID-19

What are the Objectives of World Hepatitis Day?

Spread awareness about viral hepatitis and its types
Involve people from various avenues to focus together on this issue
Educate people about prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of hepatitis
Raise awareness about vaccines available for hepatitis A and B
Remove social stigma that is commonly associated with the disease

How can you Celebrate or Participate in World Hepatitis Day?

Educate yourself on hepatitis infections, prevention, and treatment options.
Get tested on World Hepatitis Day
Listen to the World Hepatitis Day Podcast on July 28
Attend various events happening around the world on July 28
Share World Hepatitis Day posters and graphics on social media to promote awareness
Create a video for the first-ever virtual relay on World Hepatitis Day
Share the ‘Find the Missing Millions’ film
Join NOhep and help eliminate hepatitis by 2030

What are the Prevention / Treatment Options Available for Viral Hepatitis?

Vaccines are available to prevent hepatitis B, which also prevents hepatitis D. The vaccine reduces mother-to-child transmission when administered at birth.
Vaccines are also available to prevent hepatitis E and hepatitis A
Hepatitis C can be treated by using anti-viral medicines

Liver-friendly Foods that can be added to the Diet

Coffee - Reduces fat buildup in the liver and increases protective antioxidants in the liver
Oatmeal - Adds fiber to the diet that can be helpful for the liver. Oatmeals are also rich in beta-glucans that help fight diabetes and obesity
Green tea - Fight against oxidative stress and reduce signs of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Garlic - Stimulates the liver and reduces fat content in NAFLD people
Berries - Blueberries, raspberries, and cranberries contain antioxidants that protect the liver from damage
Grapes - Rich in antioxidants that protect the liver
Grapefruit - Reduces fat buildup, contains antioxidants, and helps fight against NAFLD
Prickly pear - Protects the liver
Plant Foods - Avocado, banana, barley, beets, broccoli, brown rice, carrots, fig, kale, collards, lemon, papaya, watermelon are helpful for the liver
Fatty fish - Reduces inflammation, maintains enzyme levels in the liver. Fish oil supplements are also beneficial
Nuts - Contains unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E, and antioxidants that prevent NAFLD, reduce inflammation, and oxidative stress
Olive Oil - Reduces oxidative stress and improves liver function

Impact of COVID-19 on Hepatitis Patients

There is no proper evidence to suggest that people with hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection are at a higher risk of developing COVID-19.

The major concern for hepatitis patients is that the services for hepatitis patients may be affected in a few countries.

Those awaiting hepatitis C treatment may experience a delay due to safety issues.

Patients on hepatitis B treatments need to make sure that they have enough medications.

Liver transplantation may also be delayed as immunosuppressant medications need to be used post-procedure.

So, on World Hepatitis Day, let us raise awareness about viral hepatitis around the globe and encourage more testing and diagnosis to achieve the theme ‘Find the Missing Millions.’

References :

Hepatitis - (https://www.who.int/health-topics/hepatitis#tab=tab_1)
World Hepatitis Day 2020 - (https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-hepatitis-day/2020)
World Hepatitis Day 28 July 2020 - (https://www.worldhepatitisday.org/)
World Hepatitis Day — July 28th - (https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/awareness/worldhepday.htm)
World Hepatitis Day on 28th July: Significance, theme and history - (https://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/world-hepatitis-day-on-28th-july-significance-theme-and-history-679227/)
What foods protect the liver? - (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323915)
COVID-19 Information for people living with viral hepatitis - (https://www.worldhepatitisalliance.org/missing-millions/covid-19/)

Source-Medindia