One in every 12 people across the globe lives with hepatitis B or C.

Today, hepatitis has become much more prevalent than cancer or HIV,  one reason for its alarming spread is an incredibly low level of awareness about the diseases.

On July 28, we recognize World Hepatitis Day to raise much needed awareness in the worldwide battle against hepatitis. It is critical to start educating ALL people that the risk of Liver Disease is NOT someone else’s problem; we are all at risk as long as hepatitis is an unknown risk or a danger to THOSE other people.   This year the battle cry fro World Hepatitis Day is “It’s closer than you think.” This concise tag-line hits the mark in describing a growing drive in the global liver health community to raise awareness of the hepatitis risk to EVERYONE – EVERYWHERE.

The campaign encourages us to think about both prevention and treatment in a proactive way. Emphasizing the growing number of hepatitis B and C cases, more people can understand the asymptomatic nature of disease and the necessity of screening.  As importantly, this message also hopes to clear out the stigma and misconceptions associated with hepatitis.

Since  launching in 2008,  World Hepatitis Day has been actively celebrated around the world, attracting  media and public attention.

World Hepatitis Day is organized by the World Hepatitis Alliance. The Alliance prides itself on representing ALL at-risk groups with hepatitis B or C (and sees ALL persons as an at-risk population). The non-government group organized this event to serve as an opportunity to create an international campaign that could result in real changes in hepatitis prevention and treatment.  The annual success of this initiative is thanks to the collaboration and support of world governments, supranational organizations and other high-profile non-profit groups.

World Hepatitis Day  prompts people all over the world recognize the real and pressing danger of hepatitis by promoting voluntary testing and educating us about new treatments.  Their  long-term vision is to prevent new infections and to see tangible developments in treatment.

Support the activities at your local health clinics and community centers on July 28 and join the fight to raise global awareness of hepatitis risk.  Lets work to WIPE OUT hepatitis!