World Hepatitis Day
28 July 2024
Take Action
Every year, Canberran lives are lost to hepatitis, and many of these could have been prevented. World Hepatitis Day, observed on 28 July each year, is an opportunity to join the global fight against hepatitis.
Here’s what you can do:
Vaccination and Treatment
Hepatitis B: Vaccination and treatment are available.
Hepatitis C: There is a simple and effective cure.
Get Tested
It’s time to get tested. Don’t let hepatitis go unnoticed. Over 5,000 Canberrans have hepatitis B or C, yet most people with hepatitis don’t feel sick. It’s important to remember: Hepatitis tests are not part of regular blood tests.
Community Engagement: Coffee Cup Campaign
Campaign commences Friday 26 July.
If you have found one of our special coffee cups, upload a pic of the cup on your socials and use the hashtags #WorldHepatitisDay and #HepACTCup to enter the draw to win one of five $100 vouchers!
Support Local Cafes
Thank you to our participating cafes:
Chris’s Pattisserie & Bakehouse @ Weston Creek
Coffee Scroll @ Dunlop Shops
Ginninderry Espresso @ Charnwood Shops
Kopiku @ O’Connor Shops
On the Grind @ Kambah Shops
Sakeena’s Cafe @ Weston Creek
Stepping Stones Cafe @ Dickson
The Usual @ Gungahlin
Go on then, support local, grab a warm cuppa, and learn about hepatitis!
Why World Hepatitis Day Matters
Globally, a person dies every 30 seconds from a hepatitis-related illness. The global target is to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030. Here are some critical points:
Hepatitis C Treatment Uptake: Currently in ACT, hepatitis C treatment uptake is not on track to meet the National Hepatitis C Strategy target of 65% treatment uptake by 2022. Treatment numbers are declining over time.
Hepatitis B Care Engagement: The National Hepatitis B Strategy target for people engaged in hepatitis B care is 50%. Currently, in ACT, only 30% of those living with hepatitis B are engaged in care.
Liver Cancer: Liver cancer is the fastest known increasing cause of cancer death in Australia.
How You Can Help
Get Tested: If you haven’t been tested for hepatitis B or C, make an appointment today.
Spread the Word: Use your social media platforms to share information about hepatitis and encourage others to get tested.
Support Local Initiatives: Participate in local campaigns, like our coffee cup campaign, to raise awareness.
Additional Weblinks
World Hepatitis Day: https://www.worldhepatitisday.org/
Hep Aus: https://www.hepatitisaustralia.com/
See what other states are doing:
Hepatitis New South Wales: https://www.hep.org.au/
Hepatitis SA: https://hepatitissa.asn.au/
Hepatitis WA: https://www.hepatitiswa.com.au/
Hepatitis Queensland: https://www.hepqld.asn.au/
Northern Territory AIDS and Hepatitis Council Inc.: https://www.ntahc.org.au/
LiverWell: LiverWELL | Keeping your liver well
Tasmanian Council on AIDS, Hepatitis & Related Diseases: https://redthread.org.au/
Contact Us
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Prevention Saves Lives
Many lives lost to hepatitis could be prevented with vaccination, testing, and treatment.
Awareness Reduces Stigma
By increasing awareness, we can reduce the stigma associated with hepatitis.
Encourage Testing
Encouraging people to get tested can lead to early diagnosis and better health outcomes.