July 28th is World Hepatitis Day. “Act globally to prevent, detect, and control viral hepatitis.”

“Viral hepatitis – a group of infectious diseases known as hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E – affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, causing acute and chronic liver disease and killing more than 1.4 million people every year, mostly from hepatitis B and hepatitis C. It is estimated that only 5% of people with chronic hepatitis know of their infection, and less that 1% have access to treatment.” – World Health Organization

CDC’s vision is to eliminate viral hepatitis in the United States and worldwide. World Hepatitis Day - July 28, 2016 – is an opportunity to highlight the global burden of disease and our efforts to combat viral hepatitis around the world.

Viral hepatitis is the seventh leading cause of death worldwide, and causes more deaths than AIDS, tuberculosis, and even road injuries. After years of inattention, the substantial  global burden of viral hepatitis is beginning to receive much needed attention. 

This new WHO strategy introduces the first-ever global targets for the elimination of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C as public health threats. These targets include a 30% reduction in new cases of hepatitis B and hepatitis C, and a 10% reduction in mortality by 2020, and ultimately achieving even greater health impact by 2030.  Key approaches to achieving these targets include:

• expanding vaccination programs for hepatitis B;
• preventing mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B;
• improving injection, blood, and surgical safety;
• providing harm reduction services for people who inject drugs; and
• increasing access to diagnosis and treatment for hepatitis B and hepatitis C.