Today is World Hepatitis Day! Join us in celebrating the success we’ve achieved so far in the fight to eliminate hepatitis C.
What is World Hepatitis Day?
World Hepatitis Day takes place annually on 28 July to raise awareness about viral hepatitis.
Every year, the Hepatitis C Trust comes together with our NHS partners, charities, and organisations from around the world to talk about the impact of hepatitis in our communities. We aim to raise awareness about the hurdles people affected by hepatitis face, and overcome, every single day.
This year’s theme is ‘Let’s Break It Down,’ calling on us all to break down the barriers that hold us back from a hepatitis-free world. The World Hepatitis Alliance has set out four goals to achieve this aim:
- That everyone has the knowledge and understanding they need to make informed choices about hepatitis testing, treatment and vaccination.
- For decision makers to become advocates, providing the resources needed to improve the lives of affected communities.
- An end to the stigma for people living with hepatitis, ensuring no one is left behind.
- That everyone sees that hepatitis elimination is not only possible but achievable – if we all work together to make it happen.
Working Together to Eliminate Viral Hepatitis
In 2016, the UK government committed to eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
We are on track to meet that deadline. This is thanks to tireless work across a host of organisations and sectors with strong partnerships built between the NHS, prisons, and the voluntary sector.
Speaking at our ‘Hepatitis C Elimination: Celebrating Progress and Sustaining Success’ parliamentary event earlier in July, Dr Meg Doherty, WHO Director of the Global HIV, Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes highlighted that this way of working is an outstanding example to the rest of the world.
“The NHS has made great strides in treating tens of thousands of people with Hep-C, and the Hep-C Elimination Programme supports us to consider people’s holistic health, but we need to ensure that the health needs of people facing homelessness are not forgotten. This is why collaboration between St Mungo’s, the Hep C Trust and NHS UCLH Find & Treat, as a part of Hep-C Elimination, is integral to finding more people with the infection, who otherwise would not present to mainstream healthcare services. We meet people affected by homelessness where they are at; this can be through outreach, home visits, and clinics with screenings and treatment – the latter now less invasive and with shorter courses of medication.” Sara Hide, Hepatitis C Coordinator, St Mungo’s
“As we recognise World Hepatitis Day, today marks an opportunity to evolve our approach and establish a comprehensive viral hepatitis elimination programme that includes hepatitis B as well as hepatitis C.
“Our expanded viral hepatitis elimination programme represents a commitment to health equity and a recognition that no one should face preventable liver disease, cirrhosis, or cancer due to inadequate healthcare access. It is our intention to eliminate both hepatitis B and C as public health threats in advance of the WHO target, positioning England as a global leader in viral hepatitis elimination.” Mark Gillyon-Powell, Deputy Director, Viral Hepatitis Elimination and Health Inequalities at NHS England
The Big Splash
Today our organisation is travelling to Skegness for ‘The Big Splash.’ We’ll all be jumping into the sea, making a ‘big splash’ to raise awareness that the job of eliminating hepatitis C as a public health concern is not yet complete.
We’ll also have a testing van set up nearby, and will be ready to answer any questions interested members of the public may have!
Today will be a celebration of all the fantastic work that’s been done, but we also want to remind decision-makers that as we push closer to elimination, we cannot take our foot off the gas.
Head over to our social media platforms to see today’s action!
How You Can Support
There are lots of ways to get involved in World Hepatitis Day.
You can find resources for use on social media and in your community on the World Hepatitis Day website.
You can help us in our mission to reach hepatitis C elimination by making a donation on our Just Giving page.