As the world marks World Hepatitis Day on July 28, 2025, the Centre for Social Awareness, Advocacy and Ethics (CSAAE) has urged global health organizations and advocates to rally behind the year’s theme, “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down.”
In this article, CSAAE’s C-Health Coordinator, Stephen Amadi, describes this year’s observance as a clarion call for urgent action—aiming to dismantle the financial, social, and systemic hurdles that impede the fight against hepatitis and the prevention of liver cancer.
He writes : Hepatitis remains one of the most significant, yet often overlooked, public health concerns of our time.
This inflammation of the liver, primarily caused by hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D, and E, can lead to devastating outcomes if neglected. Chronic hepatitis B and C, in particular, are the deadliest variants, responsible for liver cirrhosis, cancer, and even failure. According to the World Health Organization, over 325 million people globally are living with hepatitis B or C, and more than 1.4 million succumb to hepatitis-related complications annually.
Understanding hepatitis begins with recognizing its many forms and modes of transmission. Hepatitis A and E are typically spread through contaminated food and water, posing a persistent threat in regions with limited access to clean resources.
Hepatitis B and C are primarily transmitted via bodily fluids, unsafe medical procedures, or from mother to child at birth. Hepatitis D, while less common, demands co-infection with hepatitis B to proliferate.
The combination of these factors results in a complex, multifaceted challenge for global public health efforts.
The risk factors driving the spread of hepatitis are varied, encompassing unsafe sex, intravenous drug use, poor hygiene, unsafe medical practices, and even unsanitary tattooing or piercing procedures.
Vulnerability is further heightened in children, pregnant women—who risk transmitting the virus to their newborns—healthcare workers, those with compromised immune systems, and residents of low- and middle-income countries.
In these regions, limited access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare infrastructure creates fertile ground for the disease to thrive.
Efforts to combat hepatitis hinge on robust prevention and early intervention. Vaccination stands as a powerful shield—especially for hepatitis B—and is recommended for infants and high-risk groups.
Public health experts stress the role of safe injection practices, regular screening, and prompt treatment in stopping the progression from infection to life-threatening liver damage.
Advances in medicine, notably the introduction of direct-acting antivirals, now make hepatitis C curable in many cases, offering new hope to millions worldwide.
World Hepatitis Day serves as a vital platform to raise awareness, promote education, and strengthen international resolve.
Through coordinated advocacy, communities can be empowered to support prevention, seek timely diagnosis, and demand access to life-saving treatment.
The annual campaign underscores not only the individual responsibility to take preventive measures but also the collective need to address systemic barriers that hinder progress—whether they be economic, cultural, or policy-related.
The message for 2025 is unmistakably proactive: “Take action today.”
Individuals are urged to get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, practice safe sex, avoid sharing needles, and maintain rigorous hygiene.
Regular testing for hepatitis B and C is crucial, especially for those at elevated risk.
Beyond personal habits, collective action in communities—supporting awareness campaigns and advocating for clean water, sanitation, and healthcare—remains essential to achieving the goal of hepatitis elimination.
As we observe World Hepatitis Day 2025, the world stands at a critical juncture. With determination, innovation, and a commitment to equity, the silent threat of hepatitis can indeed be made loud and clear—paving the way toward a healthier, hepatitis-free future for all.
The CSAAE joins the rest of the world to call for improved healthcare across all regions, especially in developing countries, to enable access to facilities, personnel and medicines and general health services.