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 is held every year on 28 July, bringing people around the world together to raise awareness of viral hepatitis, its global impact, and the urgent need for action.
An estimated 254 million people are living with hepatitis B or hepatitis C worldwide. Together, these viruses are the world’s deadliest communicable disease, causing around 1.3 million deaths each year.
Yet hepatitis is both preventable and treatable. We have fast and accurate diagnostic tests, safe and affordable treatments that can cure hepatitis C and manage hepatitis B, and a proven vaccine that prevents hepatitis B infection.
Every year, The Hepatitis C Trust comes together with our NHS partners, charities, and organisations around the world to mark World Hepatitis Day. Together, we raise awareness of the impact of hepatitis on individuals and communities, while shining a light on the challenges people affected by hepatitis face, and overcome, every single day.
This year’s Global 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:
- 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.
Four Nations on the Road to Elimination
At the Hepatitis C Trust, we are also marking WHD by shining a light on the incredible efforts across the UK in our goal to achieve elimination by 2030.
In 2016, the UK government committed to eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. As we continue to make significant progress towards this goal, the UK is preparing to apply to the World Health Organization (WHO) for validation of ‘On the path to elimination of hepatitis C’. This application will be submitted as a United Kingdom partnership, with all four nations contributing evidence, data and examples of best practice.
This year, for the first time, we are delivering World Hepatitis Day as a four nations initiative, highlighting the importance of a collective effort to achieve this goal. Across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland our staff and partners will be hosting impactful local events to raise awareness, engage people and support access to testing and treatment pathways. Over the coming weeks, keep an eye out for a roundup of what we’ve gotten up to!
“Working together across all four nations is about more than reaching the WHO’s elimination criteria. By combining our efforts, sharing best practice, and challenging one another to continually improve, we can reach more people with testing and treatment. We can’t celebrate any achievements or awards until we know that no one, anywhere across the UK, has been left behind.” Rachel Halford, CEO, the Hepatitis C Trust.
“The UK’s progress towards eliminating hepatitis C is remarkable, and we are coordinating the evidence across all four nations to show that the UK as a whole has met the WHO’s programmatic targets – a historic milestone. But reaching our 2030 goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat means breaking all barriers to ensure that people get the testing and treatment they need.
“The final stretch is the hardest. Those we have yet to reach are often the most marginalised, and getting there means connecting people to testing and care while sustaining the harm reduction services that prevent new and repeat infections.
“Yet hepatitis C is only part of the picture. On hepatitis B, around half of those living with the virus remain undiagnosed and very few of those eligible for treatment are in care. Making similar gains will require the same sustained, coordinated effort across all four nations and a renewed commitment to reaching those most affected.” Dr Monica Desai, Consultant Epidemiologist & Head of Hepatitis Section at UKHSA
“We’ve made real progress towards eliminating hepatitis, but with 2030 fast approaching, now is the time to accelerate our efforts. Ending hepatitis transmission is within our reach, but it will require sustained ambition and action.
“In Scotland, that means increasing testing in the settings where we know people are being missed, and adapting services so that everyone diagnosed can quickly and easily access the treatment they need. Crucially, people with lived experience must be at the heart of how we plan and deliver our response, ensuring services work for the people who need them most.
With the right action now, Scotland and the wider UK have an opportunity to lead the way and show that ending hepatitis transmission is not just an ambition, but something we can achieve.” Grant Sugden, Chief Executive at Waverley Care
“World Hepatitis Day is a reminder that eliminating viral hepatitis will only be possible if we continue to work together. Collaboration between national organisations, health services, community groups and people with lived experience is essential to reaching those who are too often underserved or face barriers to testing and treatment.
“In Wales, community outreach and locally led initiatives are at the heart of eliminating viral hepatitis, helping to raise awareness, break down stigma, and increase access to testing and treatment. By working collectively, we can build on our progress and move closer to a future where no one is left behind.” Sarah Maslen-Roberts, Executive Director, Fast Track Cymru
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.