World Hepatitis Day

World Hepatitis Day timeline

1976

A Nobel Laureate

American physician and geneticist Baruch Samuel Blumberg receives the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (with Daniel Carleton Gajdusek), for his work on hepatitis B.

1981

FDA Approved

The FDA approves a plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine for human use.

1986

Better Vaccines

Research results in a second generation of genetically engineered (or DNA recombinant) hepatitis B vaccines.

May, 2010

Global Endorsement

World Hepatitis Day is recognized globally after a resolution is adopted during the 63rd World Health Assembly.

World Hepatitis Day FAQs

When is World Hepatitis Day?

World Hepatitis Day 2026 falls on Tuesday, July 28. This global observance is a critical moment for communities to unite against viral hepatitis.

How many people are affected by hepatitis globally?

Globally, an estimated 325 million people are living with viral hepatitis (B or C). In 2026, the focus remains on reaching the WHO’s goal of eliminating hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

What are the five types of hepatitis?

The five main types of hepatitis are A, B, C, D, and E. Each is caused by a different virus and can lead to acute or chronic liver disease, with varying modes of transmission and severity. In 2026, awareness campaigns highlight these distinctions.

Is there a vaccine for all types of hepatitis?

Vaccines are available for hepatitis A and B, offering effective protection against these forms of the disease. Unfortunately, as of 2026, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, D, or E, making prevention through safe practices even more critical.

How to Take Part

Get tested

Get tested on World Hepatitis Day because you may be unaware that you're infected. It’s a simple blood test that you can take at your doctor’s office or at your neighborhood health center. After you're tested, encourage your friends and family to do the same.

Join an event

Tons of health organizations and affiliates raise awareness about the virus with events on World Hepatitis Day, July 28. Attend concerts, rallies, pop-up testings and more. Search the World Hepatitis Day website to find an event near you.

Or, host your own awareness event

If you can’t find an event near you, no problem! Take the initiative to host a fundraising run/walk, happy hour or a meal. The World Hepatitis Day site has campaign materials, toolkits, and other resources you can download. So, let's get this party started!

Why World Hepatitis Day is Important

It’s a global epidemic

Hepatitis is not one of those diseases that only affects certain demographics or specific regions in the world; you can get hepatitis anywhere. It’s estimated that about 400 million people are infected by hepatitis, worldwide. You can contract hepatitis through blood contact or sexual intercourse. A mother can pass it to her child. That’s why hepatitis can affect people in places where there's little information about the impact on unsafe sexual practices or drug abuse. Left untreated, hepatitis can lead to dangerous and sometimes, fatal liver diseases.

We’ve made huge strides

Here’s the good news: over the last 100 years, there’s been considerable progress in preventing and treating hepatitis. There are vaccines for both hepatitis A and B. At an early age, people in developing countries automatically get these vaccines from their doctors. Hepatitis C is easily treated and hepatitis D and E are rare.

But we still have a long way to go

Almost 90% of the people who have contracted hepatitis don’t realize they’re infected. The World Hepatitis Alliance has set a challenging goal to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. With your help, it’s an achievable goal.