World Hepatitis Day 2024

Every year, numerous people across the globe observe World Hepatitis Day on July 28. To make a meaningful impact on this important day, you can join hands with others to raise awareness about this communicable disease. It’s also the perfect way to reflect on all that we have achieved and what remains to be done. This article will help you learn everything you need to know about World Hepatitis Day. 

Contribute today to our special campaign for Hepatitis C

What is Hepatitis? 

First things first: let’s go over the basics of Hepatitis – inflammation of the liver. It can be caused due to various reasons, including Hepatitis viruses. The main types of this communicable disease include Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis D, and Hepatitis E. Out of these, Hepatitis B and C are the most prevalent strains. They can be deadly if left undiagnosed and untreated. Hepatitis C can cause liver cancer and scars. However, if one is careful and adopts certain preventive measures, avoiding hepatitis is not impossible. 

History of World Hepatitis Day 

We observe World Hepatitis Day on the 28th of July every year because it is Dr. Baruch Blumberg’s birthday. He’s credited with discovering the hepatitis B virus. After the discovery in 1967, Dr. Baruch Blumberg was successful in making the world’s first hepatitis B vaccine in just two years. In 1976, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his achievements.

Alarming Prevalence of Hepatitis Across The Globe 

Globally, Hepatitis B and C are responsible for causing numerous new infections and deaths annually. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2022, 304 million patients had chronic hepatitis B or/and C. During the same year, chronic hepatitis B and C caused 1.3 million deaths around the world. 

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations are also focusing on fighting and eliminating Hepatitis and other communicable diseases. Under SDG 3.3, countries around the globe are aiming to combat hepatitis by 2030. 

How to Observe World Hepatitis Day

On World Hepatitis Day, we can reflect on how far we have come in the fight against Hepatitis and also plan for the future. Besides raising awareness about Hepatitis and how to prevent it from spreading, we can also take steps to support the ongoing efforts to treat Hepatitis patients and eliminate this infection from the world. Many charitable organizations like Transparent Hands around the world are helping needy patients suffering from this infectious disease. Be sure to explore local and international campaigns to eradicate Hepatitis. 

Support Transparent Hands’ Efforts to Fight Hepatitis 

We’re not only providing free Hepatitis B and C screenings at our free medical camps in Pakistan’s low-income, vulnerable, underserved communities, but our medical team also holds preventive healthcare sessions to raise awareness about this disease. Transparent Hands is also providing effective Hepatitis C treatments to deserving patients belonging to districts that have been identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the high prevalence of this virus. Your contribution can help us defeat hepatitis C in many impoverished communities across Pakistan.