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By Jennifer Burchett 

Clark County Health Department

July 28, 2023, is World Hepatitis Day with the theme “We’re Not Waiting.” This call to action is to accelerate elimination efforts of viral hepatitis and demonstrate the importance of Hepatitis testing and if necessary, treatment.

Every year, more than a million lives are lost to hepatitis. Change is needed:

People unaware that they have hepatitis “Can’t Wait” for testing

People living with hepatitis “Can’t Wait” for life saving treatments

Expectant mothers “Can’t Wait” for hepatitis screening and treatment

Newborn babies “Can’t Wait” for birth dose hepatitis B vaccines

People with hepatitis “Can’t Wait” to end stigma and discrimination

Community organizations “Can’t Wait” for increased involvement

Decision makers “Can’t Wait” for more discussion and funding

World Hepatitis Day is one of just four disease-specific global awareness days officially endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to unite patient organizations, medical professionals, governments, industry leaders, and the general public in education efforts. The goal is to raise the global profile of viral hepatitis. Every year on July 28, agencies ramp up vaccination efforts for Hepatitis B and encourage everyone to have a test for hepatitis C, particularly if they have never had one. Hepatitis C is curable but must be diagnosed first to find the right treatment for an individual.

Individuals born between the early to mid-1940s through the early to mid 1960s (the Baby Boomers) are highly encouraged to be tested at least once because of lax screening of blood products used during surgeries and other treatments in past decades.

Use this year’s World Hepatitis Day to think about your hepatitis A and B vaccination status, and find out if you have ever had a test for hepatitis C. “Don’t Wait” to be proactive for your health and promote the need for testing and vaccination.

Please contact us at Clark County Health Department for questions regarding hepatitis vaccinations or testing. 859-744-4482. July 28, 2023, is World Hepatitis Day with the theme “We’re Not Waiting.” This call to action is to accelerate elimination efforts of viral hepatitis and demonstrate the importance of Hepatitis testing and if necessary, treatment.

Information for this article was taken from:  www.cdc.gov/hepatitis and www.worldhepatitisalliance.org.