World Hepatitis Day, recognised on 28 July, is one of only nine days and two weeks that WHO Member States have mandated as "official" global public health days.
In Australia, the national World Hepatitis Day campaign is coordinated by Hepatitis Australia and rolled out across the country with the support of Hepatitis Australia member organisations and other collaborating partners.
‘Let’s Talk Hep’ is the theme for the 2020 Australian World Hepatitis Day campaign.
#LetsTalkHep seeks to engage the public and promote much needed dialogue about hepatitis. It is highly flexible and can be used to link in community activities (forums, info sessions etc), webinars or advocacy and seeking meetings with policy makers. It can also be used to support people to tell their personal stories or be linked to messages about stigma and discrimination.

Objective for 2020

To provide information that supports people at risk of or living with hepatitis B or hepatitis C to access the best care to maintain or improve their health. This includes:
  • Informing people about the infection risks and how to access diagnostic tests for hepatitis B and hepatitis C
  • Informing people about the importance of liver health checks to monitor the health impacts of hepatitis B or C and decrease the risk of developing serious liver disease and/or liver cancer
  • Encouraging health professionals to be informed about, and engage with their patients about all aspects of hepatitis C diagnosis, management and cure
  • Encouraging health professionals to be informed about all aspects of hepatitis B and to engage with patients around diagnosis and management.
The Australian World Hepatitis Day website is the hub with relevant information and a series of downloadable posters and social media memes.

Hepatitis Risk Quiz

The successful hepatitis risk quiz is back for 2020. Anybody can complete this simple quiz to find out if they should consider a hepatitis test. It also provides helpful information in the process.
Data from the 2019 quiz suggested that many people either have not, or can’t recall having, a diagnostic test for hepatitis B or C despite having a prior risk.
  • 72% of survey respondents (779) had never had, or were unaware if they had been tested for hepatitis B or C
  • 70% of respondents with any risk factors for hepatitis B or C (412) had never had, or were unaware if they had been tested
  • 63% of respondents with a previous BBV risk (149) or who had been in prison had never had, or were unaware if they had been tested for hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
Messages for 2020
The campaign focuses on both hepatitis B and C and includes messages relating to:
  • hepatitis risks
  • testing for hepatitis
  • liver health checks to support monitoring
  • treatment and care for hepatitis B
  • cures for hepatitis C; and
  • stigma and discrimination.

Page updated: 24 June 2020