New Delhi: World Hepatitis Day is observed each year on 28 July to raise awareness of viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that causes severe liver disease and hepatocellular cancer. There are five main strains of the hepatitis virus A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis B and C combined are the most common cause of deaths, accounting for 1.3 million lives lost each year.

World Hepatitis Day: History

This is the world-level awareness campaign that is launched as a global health campaign by the World Health Organisation to make the world hepatitis free. World Hepatitis Alliance was established in 2007. In 2008, the first community-led World Hepatitis Day was celebrated.

Further, in May 2010, the adoption of the first resolution on viral hepatitis took place. To honour the “Nobel Laureate Baruch Samuel Blumberg, 28 July was chosen as World Hepatitis Day because 28 July is his birthday. He discovered the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and developed a diagnostic test and vaccine for the virus.

World Hepatitis Day 2022: Theme

This year’s theme for World Hepatitis Day is, ‘Bringing hepatitis care closer to you.’ The idea of this theme is to focus on raising awareness of the need to make hepatitis care more accessible.

World Hepatitis Day 2022: Significance 

World Hepatitis Day is a chance to focus on activities such as promoting awareness of the many types of hepatitis and how they are transmitted. To improve the preventive care, detection, and management of viral hepatitis and associated illnesses. It is also a day to emphasize the necessity of boosting hepatitis B vaccination coverage and coordinating a worldwide hepatitis action.