28 July 2021
World Hepatitis Day is observed each year on 28 July to raise awareness of viral hepatitis – infection of the liver, which, when chronic, can cause severe liver disease and liver cancer.
This year’s theme is “Hepatitis can’t wait”, conveying the urgency of efforts needed to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. With a person dying every 30 seconds globally from a hepatitis-related illness – even in the current COVID-19 crisis – we can’t wait to act on viral hepatitis.
According to new WHO estimates, globally, 354 million people are living with chronic hepatitis B and C. These affect 14 million and 12 million people, respectively, in the WHO European Region and are one of the root causes of liver scarring (cirrhosis) and liver cancer. These conditions lead to over 107 000 deaths every year in the Region, which could be prevented by vaccination of all infants against hepatitis B and by timely testing and treatment of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections.
This is why this year’s Hepatitis Day campaigns aim to:
- encourage people to access hepatitis prevention, testing and treatment services; and
- urge regional and national leaders and policy-makers to accelerate the hepatitis response to achieve elimination by 2030.
Join the WHO campaign for World Hepatitis Day 2021 on social media using the hashtag #WorldHepatitisDay.