World Hepatitis Day
Date Added: 29/07/11
World Hepatitis Day, 28 July 2011, is coordinated by the World Hepatitis Alliance to prompt people to think about the global viral hepatitis epidemic; about whether they may be at risk (and if so, to get tested) and also about how to avoid becoming infected .
The long-term objective of the campaign is to prevent new infections and to deliver real improvements in health outcomes for people living with hepatitis B and C. The World Hepatitis Alliance is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation that represents hepatitis B and hepatitis C patient groups from around the world.
One in 12 people worldwide is living with either chronic hepatitis B or C. While this is far higher than the prevalence of HIV or any cancer, awareness is inexplicably low and the majority of those infected are unaware.
World Hepatitis Day is supported by patient groups across the globe. Together with governments, non-governmental organisations and associations, healthcare professionals, companies and thousands of individuals and patient groups coordinate World Hepatitis Day activities in countries around the world.
As a coalition of advocacy groups, the World Hepatitis Alliance is a global voice for the 500 million people worldwide living with chronic viral hepatitis B or C. Through better awareness, prevention, care, support and access to treatment, their ultimate goal is to work with governments to eradicate these diseases from the planet.
The activities of the Alliance include, but are not limited to:?1. Raising awareness of chronic viral hepatitis. In particular this involves coordinating global activities for World Hepatitis Day and supporting regional and national World Hepatitis Day programmes
2. Reducing the stigma associated with chronic viral hepatitis by improving education and understanding of chronic viral hepatitis
3. Working with the World Health Organisation (the ‘WHO’) to give viral hepatitis the profile and priority it must have
4. Working with member groups to help them ensure that every country has an effective strategy in place to combat viral hepatitis
5. Supporting member groups and helping them to build capacity
6. Liaising with NGOs to secure support and endorsement for the work of the Alliance, its member groups and the annual World Hepatitis Day.
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