World Hepatitis Day is celebrated globally every year on 28 July. Background World Hepatitis Day, 28 July, is an opportunity to step up national and international efforts on hepatitis, encourage actions and engagement by individuals, partners and the public and highlight the need for a greater global response as outlined in the WHO's Global hepatitis report of 2017. The date of 28 July was chosen because it is the birthday of Nobel-prize winning scientist Dr Baruch Blumberg, who discovered hepatitis B virus (HBV) and developed a diagnostic test and vaccine for the virus. Hepatitis Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that is caused by a variety of infectious viruses and non-infectious agents leading to a range of health problems, including severe liver damage and cancer, some of which can be fatal. There are 5 main strains of the hepatitis virus, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E. While they can all cause liver disease, they differ in important ways including modes of transmission, severity of the illness, geographical distribution and prevention methods. In particular, types B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and together are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and viral hepatitis-related deaths. They are among the main infectious disease killers, causing an estimated 1.3 million deaths per year. An estimated 304 million people worldwide live with hepatitis B or C, and for most, testing and treatment remain beyond reach. Theme for 2025: Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down The theme calls for urgent action to dismantle the financial, social and systemic barriers – including stigma – that stand in the way of hepatitis elimination and liver cancer prevention. Chronic hepatitis B and C silently cause liver damage and cancer – despite them being preventable, treatable, and, in the case of hepatitis C, curable. The theme emphasizes the need to simplify, scale up, and integrate hepatitis services – vaccination, safe injection practices, harm reduction and especially testing and treatment – into national health systems. The campaign is a reminder that we must act now to expand access, integrate care, and end hepatitis as a public health problem by 2030. Key messages Hepatitis is a leading cause of liver cancer – and a growing global killer. Chronic viral hepatitis causes 1.3 million deaths every year, mostly from liver cancer and cirrhosis. That's 3500 deaths every single day – on par with tuberculosis. Hepatitis B and C are spreading silently, with 6000 new infections daily. Despite being preventable and treatable, the disease burden continues to rise, especially in regions with limited access to care. Knowing your status is the first step to stopping liver cancer. Most people living with hepatitis don’t know they’re infected. Early diagnosis is the first step to accessing life-saving treatment and preventing liver cancer. Testing – especially for those in endemic regions or at higher risk – is critical to ending hepatitis. We can prevent 2.8 million deaths by 2030 – but only if countries act now. Hepatitis elimination is within reach. We have vaccines, curative therapies, and proven tools to stop transmission. Most cases go undiagnosed until it’s too late. Progress demands national commitment, smart investment, and public health systems that embed hepatitis services into primary care. Investing in timely diagnosis and integrated, people-centred care will save lives and stop liver cancer before it starts. Source : WHO