 Every year on 28 July, the world marks World Hepatitis Day to raise awareness of viral hepatitis, a serious but largely preventable disease that continues to claim millions of lives. This year's theme, "Hepatitis: Let's break it down," is a call to remove the barriers preventing people from accessing life-saving prevention, testing and treatment. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by viral infections or other non-infectious factors. There are five main types of hepatitis viruses—A, B, C, D and E—each with different modes of transmission, severity and prevention methods. While some forms cause short-term illness, hepatitis B and C are the leading causes of chronic liver disease, increasing the risk of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer if left untreated.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 304 million people worldwide are living with chronic hepatitis B or C. Together, these infections cause approximately 1.3 million deaths every year, making viral hepatitis one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases. Yet many people remain unaware they are infected because the disease often develops without noticeable symptoms until serious liver damage has occurred. The encouraging news is that hepatitis can be prevented and, in many cases, treated. Safe and effective vaccines are available for hepatitis A and B, while hepatitis C can now be cured with modern antiviral medicines. Early diagnosis through routine testing is critical, as timely treatment can prevent severe complications and significantly improve quality of life. Through its Global Health Sector Strategy on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections (2022–2030), WHO aims to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. Achieving this goal will require expanded vaccination programmes, wider access to testing and treatment, stronger health systems, and sustained public education to combat stigma and encourage early care. This World Hepatitis Day serves as a reminder that eliminating hepatitis is within reach. By increasing awareness, improving access to healthcare services and ensuring no one is left behind, countries can prevent millions of infections, reduce liver cancer cases, and save countless lives. Source: WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
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