July 28, 2017

28th of July marks The World Hepatitis Day.

Viral hepatitis is one of the leading causes of death globally, accounting for 1.34 million deaths per year – that’s as many as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis or malaria. Most viral hepatitis deaths in 2015 were due to chronic liver disease (720 000 deaths due to cirrhosis) and primary liver cancer (470 000 deaths due to hepatocellular carcinoma). Together, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C cause 80% of liver cancer cases in the world.

Addressing viral hepatitis is crucial to reducing the global burden of cancer.  With the availability of effective vaccines and treatments for hepatitis B and a cure for hepatitis C, the elimination of viral hepatitis is achievable, but greater awareness and understanding of the disease and the risks is needed. Please check the  ICCP resources on HBV and HPV vaccination http://www.iccp-portal.org/vaccines as well as 2017 Global Hepatitis Report.

To find out more about the The World Hepatitis Day please visit: http://www.worldhepatitisday.org