World Hepatitis Day 2024

On World Hepatitis Day (WHD), 28 July 2024, health and community organisations and governments in Australia joined with the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA), World Health Organization and a global network of over 300 WHA members in nearly 100 countries in a call to accelerate elimination efforts of hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

The aim for World Hepatitis Day 2024 in Australia is to mobilise action on the elimination of viral hepatitis in Australia supported by national coordination.

The global theme for World Hepatitis Day 2024 is "It's time for action."

World Hepatitis Day events across Australia

This year saw fantastic support and coverage for World Hepatitis Day. Just some of the events for 2024 included:

  • Healthy Living lunch in Darwin
  • Healthy Living event in Alice Springs
  • World Hepatitis Day breakfast event in Canberra
  • A large variety of community events supported by Hepatitis Qld, LiverWELL & Hepatitis SA small grants programs.
  • Hepatitis SA's World Hepatitis Day Quiz
  • Hepatitis SA's BBQ and Point of Care HCV testing at CAaSSA NSP site
  • TasCAHRD: Play to Learn!
  • World Hepatitis Day Joint Symposium, Burnet & Doherty Institutes 
  • NTAHC's Love your liver brunch
  • The World Hepatitis Day National Parliamentary Event 2024
  • Hepatitis NSW's HEP CURED mobile mural
  • HepBCommunity.org Research Showcase
  • Kirby Institute: Progress towards hepatitis C elimination: Insights from modelling
  • CSRH: Annual Report of Trends in Behaviour 2023: Viral Hepatitis in Australia
  • World Hepatitis Alliance: Community Forum

Thank you to everyone who organised, attended and helped to promote World Hepatitis Day events. Together, we have achieved substantial outcomes, from raising awareness to advocating for better policies and support systems.

World Hepatitis Day National Parliamentary Event

Australia urged to accelerate action to end hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Australia has been urged to accelerate action to eliminate hepatitis B and hepatitis C, with Health Minister Mark Butler MP addressing a renewed push to curb the epidemics.

He spoke alongside Senators Louise Pratt and Dean Smith, Co-Chairs of Parliamentary Friends for ending HIV, STIs and Other Blood Borne Viruses, at a federal parliamentary World Hepatitis Day event on 4 July 2024.

Minister Butler highlighted the need for further action on prevention. 

“In partnership with affected communities, national peak bodies, peer and community organisations and the clinical multidisciplinary workforce, we are examining how to reduce the transmission of hepatitis C in the prison system,” he said.  

“We are determined to explore new ways in which we can make a difference in those settings.” 

 

Minister Butler also said the government was committed to funding hepatitis B elimination, including with $7.8 million for a public awareness campaign and workforce training. 

Speakers

  • The Hon Mark Butler MP Minister for Health and Aged Care
  • Selina Walker Senior Ngunnawal Woman
  • Frank Carlus Vice President, Hepatitis Australia
  • Nicoletta Estella Peer Community Development Worker

Hosts

  • Senator Dean Smith
  • Senator Louise Pratt

Co-Chairs of the Parliamentary Friends for Ending HIV, STIs and Other Blood Borne Viruses

48 Australian landmarks glow green for World Hepatitis Day

Thanks to our member organisations’ coordination, supporters of World Hepatitis Day illuminated landmarks across Australia with vibrant green lights. This gesture was not only a tribute to those affected by hepatitis B and hepatitis C but also a powerful call for global decision-makers to prioritise elimination by 2030. The colour green, symbolising life, vitality, and progress, perfectly embodies the spirit of the #NOhep initiative to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030. Launched by the World Hepatitis Alliance on World Hepatitis Day 2016, this initiative has garnered worldwide recognition.

List of 2024 landmarks 

Hepatitis Australia’s World Hepatitis Day Video

Our animated short video for World Hepatitis Day was promoted on social media and also within medical practitioners in every state and territory in Australia. The campaign reached:

  • 350 medical centre waiting rooms with exposure to an estimated 643,000 patients.
  • Meta advertising reached over 1,757,852 people.
  • The video had over 2.2 million impressions.
  • The World Hepatitis Day Australia website has had over 3,400 visitors with over 15,000 page views.

Media coverage on World Hepatitis Day

This year we had unprecedented interest and support from media and radio. Many of our members were able to speak and provide interviews on elimination efforts and advocate for required services, as well as providing opportunities for community members impacted by hepatitis B or hepatitis C to share their stories directly.

List of media coverage

2024 Factsheet available in multiple languages

The 2024 World Hepatitis Day Factsheet is available in Traditional & Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese, Arabic and English. We encourage you to download and share this resource with your communities:

Steps towards elimination

All Australian governments have committed to eliminating hepatitis B and hepatitis C by 2030, and to achieve this they need to resource communities to provide appropriate information and support tailored to their needs. On 28th July our united voices amplified the call for increased action and support for those affected by hepatitis. Your participation and support were essential in raising awareness and advocating for a brighter future.

We are reminded that these achievements are a testament to the power of unity and shared purpose. We thank you for being a part of this journey with us.

Together, we will continue to make a meaningful difference towards the global objective of elimination of hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

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Author: Danny Adams

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