World Hepatitis Day 2024: Date, Theme (It’s time for action), Significance, History

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver which is a cause of numerous health problems, most dangerous being liver cancer. World Hepatitis Day (WHD) is observed on 28 July to raise awareness against global problem of viral hepatitis and to bring change in this situation. People from all over the world are urged to come together and take action towards elimination of this disease.

Every 30 seconds a person dies from hepatitis related illness and WHD provided a great opportunity to draw people’s attention towards the importance of knowing your hepatitis status and to spread the word about treatment. World Hepatitis Day is among the 11 official health campaigns as mentioned by the World Health Organization.

World Hepatitis Day 2024 Overview

Global hepatitis report 2024: action for access in low- and middle-income countries

World Hepatitis Day Date

World Hepatitis Day Significance

So much progress has been achieved in fight against hepatitis and still a lot more needs to be done for complete elimination of the disease. World Hepatitis Day provides an opportunity to increase awareness and encourage facilitation of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis. The main goal for observing this day is four-fold.

It is to raise awareness of the different forms of hepatitis and how they are transmitted, strengthen prevention, screening and control of viral hepatitis and its related diseases, increase coverage of hepatitis B vaccine and its incorporation into national immunization programs and coordinate a global response to hepatitis.

History of World Hepatitis Day

Various European and Middle Eastern Patient Groups and Baby Muriel observed International Hepatitis C Awareness day on October 1, 2004. There are other groups that celebrated Hepatitis day on different day. Considering this, the need to observe one single global day for fight against the disease was felt. In 2008 the World Hepatitis Alliance and patient groups declared May 19 to be celebrated as the first global World Hepatitis Day.

Later in May 2010 at the 63rd World Health Assembly, the United Nations adoption a resolution and July 28 was chosen instead of May 19 to be observed as World Hepatitis Day, the day was chosen to honor Nobel Laureate Baruch Samuel Blumberg, discoverer of the hepatitis B virus, which was also his birthday. Since 2011, every 28 July is observed as World Hepatitis Day and is celebrated with a different theme.

World Hepatitis Day 2024 Theme

World Hepatitis Day 2023 theme is “It’s time for action“

1. “People living with viral hepatitis unaware can’t wait for testing”

2. “People living with hepatitis can’t wait for life saving treatments”

3. “Expectant mothers can’t wait for hepatitis screening and treatment”

4. “Newborn babies can’t wait for birth dose vaccination”

5. “People affected by hepatitis can’t wait to end stigma and discrimination”

6. “Community organizations can’t wait for greater investment”

7. “Decision makers can’t wait and must act now to make hepatitis elimination a reality through political will and funding.”

World Hepatitis Day 2023 Celebration

More than 100 countries across the globe recognize and celebrate World Hepatitis Day. Many events such as free screenings, poster campaigns, demonstrations, concerts, talk shows, flash mobs and vaccination drives are carried out in observance of this day.

These events are organized by different government and non-government organizations and people are encouraged to take part in it.

International Days in July

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