World Hepatitis Day 2023: Date, Theme, Significance and History
World Hepatitis Day 2023: Date, Theme, Significance and History– World Hepatitis Day is observed every year on July 28th to increase global awareness of hepatitis. The primary goal of this awareness campaign is to address the alarming statistics that show that someone dies from hepatitis or related illnesses every 30 seconds around the world. Therefore, it is crucial to have precise information about the disease and take necessary actions. The campaigns and activities conducted on World Hepatitis Day 2023 aim to educate people about the disease and its various aspects.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz: July 2023
What is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis virus has five commonly known strains: Type A, B, C, D and E. All of them affect the liver but there are some key differences in origin, transmission and severity of the disease. Hepatitis can be preventable with immunization and manageable, but there is no cure at present.
While all kinds of hepatitis can cause liver disease, the symptoms, modes of transmission, and overall impact may vary. Common manifestations include fatigue, stomach pain, fever, and in severe cases, liver failure and brain damage. However, some individuals with hepatitis may not display any symptoms, underscoring the significance of awareness and early detection.
On World Hepatitis Day, numerous health campaigns and events are organized to raise consciousness about hepatitis and its prevention. These efforts try to educate people about the disease’s hazards and how to protect themselves and their communities. By providing individuals with knowledge and promoting preventive measures, the objective of World Hepatitis Day is to control the transmission of hepatitis and enhance global public health.
Theme of World Hepatitis Day 2023
Every year on 28th July, World Hepatitis Day is commemorated to promote awareness about viral hepatitis, with the theme ‘one life, one liver’ this year.Each year, this day focuses on a specific theme to increase knowledge about the current situation of hepatitis worldwide and bring about positive changes. Various events such as campaigns, seminars, and lectures are organized, inviting people from all over the world to participate and learn more about the disease.
Significance of World Hepatitis Day 2023
There has been much work done towards eliminating Hepatitis from roots across the globe. The goal of World Hepatitis Day is to increase awareness and encourage people to learn about the disease’s diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. The event has set stepwise goals, such as;
- Raise awareness about the type of Hepatitis and their transmission process.
- Reinforce the prevention and control of hepatitis.
- Enhance vaccination drive against hepatitis B.
- Encourages global response against the disease.
History of World Hepatitis Day 2023
Initially observed on May 19, World Hepatitis Day was moved to July 28 in 2010. The World Hepatitis Alliance was founded in the year 2007, and in 2008, the first community-organised World Hepatitis Day was observed. This happened after the World Health Assembly voted to honour Baruch Samuel Blumberg’s birthday. He was the American physician who discovered Hepatitis B in the 1960s.
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 28th of July was designated as the birthday of Nobel laureate Dr. Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and created a diagnostic test and vaccination for the virus.
Low coverage of testing and treatment is the most important gap to be addressed in order to achieve the global elimination goals by 2030.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- WHO Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland; Director general: Tedros Adhanom.