Two Percent of the US Population is Living with This Deadly Disease and They Don’t Even Know It
What is World Hepatitis Day?
In 2010, the World Health Organization made World Hepatitis Day one of only four official disease-specific world health days. Celebrated each year on July 28, its purpose is to raise awareness about viral hepatitis, provide access to treatment, call for better prevention programs and enlist government action. Today, millions of people across the world take part in World Hepatitis Day.
About World Hepatitis Day 2016
The theme for the 2016 global campaign is Elimination. At the World Health Assembly in May, the ambitious goal of eliminating hepatitis as a public health threat by the year 2030 was put in motion. This historic assembly marked the first time national governments have come together to voice their commitment. To ensure success, the campaign calls for greater awareness, increased diagnosis and key interventions including universal vaccination, blood and injection safety.
Just What is Viral Hepatitis?
Viral hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by a virus, a tiny organism that can only replicate inside a cell–in this case, a liver cell.
Viral hepatitis has become the seventh leading cause of death and disability in the world, killing more people in a year than HIV/AIDs, tuberculosis or malaria, according to the Global Burden of Disease Study, 2013.
Deaths from infection, liver disease and cancer caused by viral hepatitis increased by nearly two thirds, from 890,000 in 1990 to 1.45 million in 2013, based on data collected in 183 countries.
Lack of awareness is cited as one of the main reasons for the perpetuation of this global burden. Less than 5% of people living with viral hepatitis worldwide are aware of their condition. This is largely due to the disease being mostly asymptomatic along with the lack of routine screening. The result is missed opportunities to access the highly effective treatment that can stop those infected from dying of liver disease, cirrhosis and liver cancer.
In the US alone, it’s estimated that up to two percent of the population, or approximately 5.3 million people, are living with the Hepatitis B or C infection.
While Hepatitis is a chronic disease, vaccinations and new treatments are being researched daily with great success. Hepatitis B is preventable through vaccination and Hepatitis C is curable with new drugs.
To learn more about Hepatitis, including the five viruses and how they are transmitted, visit The World Health Organization’s website.
For testing and treatment, visit Careteam+, your partner in health. This Primary Care Center treats patients of all ages with care and compassion. Most insurances are accepted and a sliding fee schedule is available for the medically uninsured.
Get tested today. Do it for yourself and for those you love. Let’s work together to eliminate Hepatitis by 2030.
