Every year on July 28, the world observes World Hepatitis Day, highlighting the importance of raising awareness about one of the
world’s most critical yet often overlooked health issues — Hepatitis. Despite causing over 1.3 million deaths annually, viral hepatitis lacks the public awareness it deserves. In 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) rallies behind the theme “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down”, a call to demystify the disease, dismantle social stigma, and remove systemic
obstacles to testing, vaccination, and treatment.
Decoding the 2025 Theme: “Hepatitis:Let’s Break It Down”
“Hepatitis:Let’s Break It Down” concentrates on simplifying complicated information about hepatitis. It also addresses the stigma
that prevents the early detection of the disease, and urging actions. Many of these hurdles–social stigma, financial cost, healthcare inequity, and misinformation–create a cascade of barriers that prevent timely diagnosis and care. The theme calls on all sectors–governments, health professionals, community leaders, and individuals–to unite, educate, and empower people to take charge of their health.
Understanding Hepatitis: Types and Transmission
Hepatitis is the term used to describe inflammation in the liver. It is usually due to five different viruses.
- Hepatitis A (HAV) infections can be spread through contaminated foodor through water.
- Hepatitis E (HEV) is usually transmitted via the oral route, and is oftenassociated with unfit drinking water.
- Hepatitis B (HBV) is spread through infected blood, sexual contact, andvertical transfer (mother on child).
- Hepatitis C (HCV) transmission occurs through blood-to-blood contact,
- usually through shared needles, or medical equipment that is not properly sterilized.
- Hepatitis D (HDV) requires co-infection in combination with HBV and istransmitted similarly.1
Though HAV as well as HEV are acute and usually non-injurious, HBV as well as HCV can cause chronic infections, which increase the risk of cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. It is estimated that around 350 million people suffer from chronic hepatitis B and C and many of them without realizing it. This has earned hepatitis the title of being a “silent outbreak”.
Why Hepatitis Stays Hidden
The main challenge of Hepatitis is its stealth. It doesn’t show any symptoms to people with chronic illnesses for a long time and when they finally discover the disease, damage may have already occured. This subtle progression is not just a risk to your personal health, but also a risk to others by unknowingly transmitting the virus. The absence of symptoms suggests that screening and proactive tests are the only reliable methods to detect early. Prevention Strategies That Work The optimistic side of the hepatitis narrative is that most types are preventable. Here’s how:
Prevention Strategies That Work
- Vaccination
- ● Hepatitis vaccines A as well as B are reliable and safe.
- ● WHO suggests a vaccination at birth to prevent HBV as well as
- follow-ups for HBV in the early years of childhood.
- ● In high-risk groups, further dosages of booster doses could be
- necessary.
Clean Food and Water
● In areas where HAV and HEV are widespread, making sure that there is enough supply of safe drinking water as well as the proper sanitation are essential.
●a Good hygiene practices–handwashing, cooking foods thoroughly–prevent these diseases.
Safe Injection and Medical Procedures
● Equipment sterilization and proper blood transfusion protocols prevent HBV/HCV transmission in health care settings.
● Instructing health workers about the general precautions helps ensure secure clinical practice.
Reduce the harm caused by intravenous drug users
● Hepatitis C can be reduced by programs that offer sterile needles and counseling.
Safe Sex Practices
● Promote condom usage to prevent sexually transmitted Hepatitis B.
● Social media platforms and community outreach can make a big difference in education campaigns aimed at youth.
Awareness Campaigns and Community Engagement
● It is important to dispel myths by providing tailored education for brides-to-be, college students and pregnant women.
● An open dialogue can help to combat misconceptions and encourage people to seek out preventive care.
Testing and early treatment: A game-changer
Early detection can transform the outlook of hepatitis from a hidden danger to a manageable disease:
● Hepatitis B can be controlled with long-term antiviral medications.
● Hepatitis C is no longer a chronic disease. Direct-acting antivirals can cure it for the majority of patients.
Even with stories of success, changes in access to testing and treatment have not been equitable. Many areas and marginalized populations continue to lack access to adequate resources. Therefore:
● Governments must provide free and/or offordable testing within primary health services.
● Health facilities and NGOs must develop mobile test units, and outreach efforts within remote communities.
● Health care providers must be trained to provide culturally safe and anti-stigmatizing services.
Global Action and Campaigns
WHO’s call for action is part of the Department of Viral Hepatitis initiative’s goal of eliminating viral hepatitis by the year 2030 by calling
for:
- Vaccination across all age groups.
- Increased testing access and improved surveillance systems.
- Access to affordable and accessible antiviral treatment regimens.
- Safe injection and healthcare procedures.
- Education and community support to reduce stigma.
World Hepatitis Day is not just a date on the calendar, but a time to mobilize. In 2025, World Hepatitis Day will be a day to find a cure for the chains of ignorance, fear, and inequity that enabled the epidemic to persist.
Why is July 28 Important
July 28 is the birthday of Dr. Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus and developed the first hepatitis B vaccination. On this date each year, we reaffirm our commitment— to put more awareness in people’s minds, increase prevention efforts, and save lives. This is a time for individuals, organizations, and communities to take action together.
How You Can Take Action
As we observe World Hepatitis Day 2025, here are ways you can help to
break the barriers:
● Get Tested -If you’re in the high-risk category–healthcare professionals, anyone who has had surgery or tattooed, anyone born to HBV-positive parents– get tested.
● Get Vaccinated -Get the HBV and HAV vaccination, particularly for children, travelers and high risk adults.
● Share Information -Use your voice and share on social media, in community meetings, in messaging apps, to promote accurate information to counter stigma. Demand local health practitioners not to wait on the provincial and federal levels and to establish free screening and vaccination programs, or enhance public health capacity.
● Support Advocacy -Organizations Non profit organizations that work on hepatitis awareness and patient advocacy rely on volunteers, donations and community partnerships.
Breaking Barriers- Final Thoughts
World Hepatitis Day 2025 calls for action with a strategy for breaking barriers, not just awareness posters. On July 28, every individual should commit to awareness, action and solidarity. By working together, we can face the danger of hepatitis with a more cautious mindset.
Let’s turn “Let’s Break It Down” into real change—and ensure hepatitis is no longer a hidden threat.
