World Hepatitis Day is observed annually on July 28 with the goal of raising awareness about the global burden of viral hepatitis and advocating for real change by promoting prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Hepatitis is one such disease that causes inflammation of the liver tissue and affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
Hepatitis is a group of infectious diseases known by different variants such as A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis is typically caused by a viral infection, but it can also be caused by other risk factors such as excessive alcohol consumption, certain medications, toxins, and certain medical conditions.
World Hepatitis Day 2022: History
World Hepatitis Day was established following a resolution passed at the 63rd World Health Assembly in May 2010. On July 28, the day is observed to commemorate the birthday of Nobel Laureate Baruch Samuel Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus and developed a diagnostic test and vaccine for it.
World Hepatitis Day 2022: Significance
The world is currently dealing with a new outbreak of unexplained acute hepatitis infections, the majority of which are affecting children. WHO, in collaboration with scientists and policymakers in affected countries, is attempting to determine the source of this infection, which does not appear to be caused by any of the hepatitis viruses A,B,C,D, or E.
This new outbreak is focusing on the thousands of acute viral hepatitis infections that occur each year among children, adults, and adolescents. The majority of acute hepatitis infections result in a mild disease that often goes undetected. However, in some cases, these can lead to complications and even death. According to the WHO, approximately 78,000 people died worldwide in 2019 as a result of complications related to acute hepatitis A to E infections.
Global efforts prioritise the eradication of hepatitis B, C, and D infections. Unlike acute viral hepatitis, these three infections cause chronic hepatitis that lasts for decades and results in over one million deaths per year from cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Over 95 percent of hepatitis deaths are caused by these three types of chronic hepatitis infections. While we have the tools to diagnose, treat, and prevent infection, these services are frequently out of reach for communities and are sometimes only available at centralized/specialized hospitals.
World Hepatitis Day 2022: Theme
On World Hepatitis Day 2022, WHO will emphasise the importance of bringing hepatitis care closer to primary health care facilities and communities, so that the public has better access to treatment and care, regardless of the type of hepatitis they have.
