World Hepatitis Day 2021: History, Theme, Importance & All You Need To Know

World Hepatitis Day 2021: World Hepatitis Day is celebrated every year on 28 July. This is an opportunity to know and inform everyone about hepatitis and its treatment.  

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Several diseases in the world affect people in different ways, and most of the time they go unrecognized until it is too late. Hepatitis is a disease that causes inflammation of liver tissue. It affects the lives of millions of people worldwide. With many people uninformed about it, World Hepatitis Day is celebrated every year on 28 July to raise awareness about this issue. Its aim is to increase awareness about viral hepatitis. This is an opportunity to know and inform everyone about hepatitis and its treatment.  

Cause of hepatitis

Hepatitis is a group of infectious diseases with primary types - A, B, C, D and E. Hepatitis is usually caused by a viral infection, but there are other risk factors such as excessive alcohol consumption, toxins, certain medications, and certain medical conditions. Hepatitis A and E are usually caused by the consumption of contaminated food and water. Hepatitis B, C and D are caused by exposure to infected blood and body fluids. Hepatitis D affects people who are already affected by Hepatitis B. The transmission of the virus can be handed down from mother to child, through unprotected sex, or the use of unsafe needles. 

The World Health Organization has identified hepatitis as a major health concern for India. According to WHO, in 2020 about 40 million people were infected with Hepatitis B, and 60 lakh to 12 million with Hepatitis C. According to the Indian Journal of Medical Research, about 250,000 people in India die every year from viral hepatitis.  Research conducted by the World Health Organization has estimated that 4.5 million premature deaths could be prevented by 2030 in low and middle-income countries through vaccination, screening, medicine and awareness campaigns. 

History of Hepatitis Day

This day honors Nobel laureate Dr.Baruch Samuel Blumberg. American scientist's contribution to research on hepatitis B cannot be ignored. Born on July 28, 1925, Nobel laureate discovered the hepatitis B virus and later developed a trial test and a vaccine to treat it. World Hepatitis Day received global recognition at the 63rd World Health Assembly in May 2010. 

World Hepatitis Day Theme

The theme for 2021 is 'Hepatitis Can't Wait', which highlights the need for urgent efforts to eliminate hepatitis as a public health risk by 2030. The topic focuses on people who are unaware they have viral hepatitis and cannot wait for testing or life-saving treatment. Pregnant women must wait for hepatitis screening and treatment. People living with Hepatitis cannot wait for stigma and discrimination to end.