WHY THE WORLD SHOULD ASK
‘AM I NUMBER 12?’
The World Hepatitis Alliance, today called on governments around the world to drive improvements in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and support for the one in 12 people worldwide infected with either chronic viral hepatitis B or C.
- Key news points
The World Hepatitis Alliance marks the first World Hepatitis Day with the launch of the first global public compendium of statistics and information relating to chronic viral hepatitis B and C.
Hepatitis Australia has joined its World Hepatitis Alliance colleagues in asking the Australian Government to sign up to 12 Asks for 2012 aimed at combating chronic viral hepatitis B and C.
The Hon. Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, responds to the 12 Asks for 2012.
Leading medical journal, The Lancet, profiles World Hepatitis Day as the lead editorial in the May 17 edition.
- Quote attributed to Helen Tyrrell, CEO of Hepatitis Australia and founding member of the World Hepatitis Alliance
The World Health Organization has estimated that over 350 million people on the planet are living with chronic viral hepatitis B and more than 170 million are living with chronic hepatitis C but there is an astonishing lack of awareness and in some countries political will to tackle these diseases.
Many experts refer to viral hepatitis as a hidden epidemic; our aim is to make sure it does not become a forgotten epidemic.
- Quotes attributed to Professor Greg Dore, Head of the Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program, National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of New South Wales
The challenge for viral hepatitis is to make healthcare authorities and policy makers aware that this disease, if not tackled today, will be a major burden in the next 20 years as today’s patients will develop liver cancer. It is better to act today than be unable to react tomorrow.
Increased awareness and understanding of the public health impact of chronic viral hepatitis is required to mobilise action on proven prevention and care strategies. Awareness raising will promote advocacy, improve global funding, and reduce the stigma and discrimination that affect many people with chronic viral hepatitis.
- Did You Know?
500 million people worldwide are currently living with chronic hepatitis B or C.
The number of people living with chronic hepatitis is more than 10 times the number living with HIV/AIDS.
Between them, chronic hepatitis B and C kill 1.5 million people a year.
One in every three people on the planet has been exposed to either or both viruses.
Most of the 500 million with chronic viral hepatitis do not know they are infected
Check the Hepatitis Australia website www.hepatitisaustralia.com for listings of awareness and education events in various states of Australia.
World Hepatitis Day is proudly endorsed by many organisations in Australia.
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World Hepatitis Day
World Hepatitis Day is coordinated by the World Hepatitis Alliance, a newly established Non-Governmental Organisation representing more than 200 hepatitis B and hepatitis C community and patient groups from around the world. The World Hepatitis Alliance is governed by a representative board of patient and community groups from seven world regions: Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, North Africa, North America, South America, Australasia and Western Pacific. For more information visit www.worldhepatitisday.com on Monday 19 May.
Hepatitis Australia
Hepatitis Australia was incorporated in 1997 as the peak community organisation to progress national action on issues of importance to people affected by hepatitis C. Our mission is to provide leadership and advocacy on viral hepatitis and support partnerships to ensure the needs of Australians affected by or at risk of viral hepatitis are met. Our members are the eight state and territory councils.
