World Hepatitis Day 2025: History, significance, theme and tips to protect your liver

World Hepatitis Day was officially launched in 2010 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to bring global attention to viral hepatitis and its dangers (Image: Canva)

Every year July 28 is marked to raise awareness about viral hepatitis, a silent threat that damages livers, promotes cirrhosis, and can lead to cancer.

Date, history, theme and significance of World Hepatitis Day 2025:

World Hepatitis Day was officially launched in 2010 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to bring global attention to viral hepatitis and its dangers. This year the theme “Hepatitis, Let’s break it down,” encourages to dismantle stigma, simplify access to testing and treatment and reach communities still left behind.

The WHO highlights that with hepatitis B vaccine available and hepatitis C now curable, the path to elimination by 2030 is clear but only if care is integrated, stigma removed, and access expanded nationwide.

Also read | Explained: Types of viral hepatitis, causes, symptoms, expert tips to protect your liver

Importance of early diagnosis:

Chronic hepatitis B and C together kill around 1.3 million people annually, mostly due to cirrhosis and liver cancer. That’s roughly 3,500 deaths each day. Despite the availability of effective vaccines for hepatitis B, and highly successful cures for hepatitis C, only a minority of those infected know their status.

Diagnosis often comes too late. The day reminds us that equitable access to screening, care, safe injection practices, and harm reduction is not optional but essential for saving lives before 2030. According to a study by the national institutes of health, early diagnosis of Hepatitis B and C helps to improve outcomes and reduce progression to liver cancer.

Also read | Hepatitis prevention: 8 lifestyle habits to avoid and effective management strategies

6 preventive tips to protect your liver:

• Early detection: Testing for hepatitis B and C, even before symptoms appear, is the first powerful step to avoid liver damage and access timely treatment.

• Get vaccinated: Ensure newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth, and adults at risk also complete the full vaccination series.

• Adopt safe injection practices: Whether in healthcare or personal use, never share needles, sterile single use equipment help reduce transmission risk of viral hepatitis.

• Promote harm reduction tools: Always supervise needle exchanges or opioid substitution therapy in affected communities. It lowers hepatitis transmission while supporting recovery.

• Break stigma: Openly speaking about hepatitis, with correct facts and empathy. Reducing judgement encourages more people to get tested, treated, and supported.

• Screening and treatment: Push for hepatitis screening and treatment in maternal health, HIV diabetes and cancer care programme for universal region continuity.