July 28Health

World Hepatitis Day

Name: World Hepatitis Day
Start: 2026-07-28
End: 2026-07-28

300 million people live with hepatitis — most don't know it. Test. Treat. Heal.

About

World Hepatitis Day on July 28 focuses on viral hepatitis — a group of infectious diseases caused by hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E viruses — which collectively affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Hepatitis B and C are the most serious: together they cause chronic liver disease leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer, accounting for 1.1 million deaths annually. Critically, most people living with chronic hepatitis are undiagnosed — the disease is often symptomless for decades, earning it the label of a 'silent epidemic.' Safe and effective vaccines exist for hepatitis A and B, and highly effective curative treatments exist for hepatitis C. Yet access remains deeply unequal: hepatitis C treatment that costs tens of thousands of dollars in high-income countries is available for a few hundred dollars in generic form, but many health systems do not prioritise procurement. World Hepatitis Day calls for universal testing, treatment, and the political commitment needed to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

History

July 28 was chosen as World Hepatitis Day to mark the birthday of Nobel Prize-winning scientist Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus in 1967 and developed the first hepatitis B vaccine. The World Hepatitis Alliance established the day in 2008, and the WHO adopted it as an official global health day in 2010.

Where It's Observed

Global — WHO and World Hepatitis Alliance initiative

Cultural Context

US United States

The US has significant hepatitis C rates, concentrated among people who inject drugs and older adults infected through blood transfusions before modern screening. World Hepatitis Day drives testing campaigns and advocacy for insurance coverage of curative hepatitis C treatments.

KR South Korea

South Korea has relatively high hepatitis B prevalence, a legacy of mother-to-child transmission before universal vaccination was implemented. The national hepatitis B vaccination programme has dramatically reduced rates in younger generations, and World Hepatitis Day celebrates this progress while addressing remaining treatment gaps.

JP Japan

Japan has one of the world's highest rates of hepatitis B and C-related liver cancer, linked to wartime medical procedures and contaminated blood products. The government has run major hepatitis testing and treatment programmes since 2008, and July 28 is used to encourage testing among those who may have been exposed.

How to Participate

01Get tested for hepatitis B and C if you are at risk or have never been tested
02Check your hepatitis B vaccination status and ensure you are fully immunised
03Learn about the difference between hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E and their transmission routes
04Support organisations working to expand hepatitis treatment access in low-income countries

Frequently asked questions

When is World Hepatitis Day?+

World Hepatitis Day is observed annually on July 28. The date is fixed each year — July 28 — and does not shift based on the lunar calendar or weekday.

What is World Hepatitis Day?+

Is World Hepatitis Day a public holiday?+

World Hepatitis Day is an international observance or awareness day, not a public holiday in most countries. It does not typically result in days off work or school closures, though some countries and organisations hold official events.

How can I participate in World Hepatitis Day?+

Get tested for hepatitis B and C if you are at risk or have never been tested Check your hepatitis B vaccination status and ensure you are fully immunised Learn about the difference between hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E and their transmission routes These are some of the most accessible ways to engage with the day's purpose.

Which countries observe World Hepatitis Day?+

Global — WHO and World Hepatitis Alliance initiative.