WORLD HEPATITIS DAY 28 JULY 2012!

WORLD HEPATITIS DAY
28 JULY 2012!

In 2012 as we count down the days to the Olympic opening, we will also be counting down the days to World Hepatitis Day on 28 July. This is a timely reminder that, as the world joins together for this major international event, we are joined together not just by our sporting achievements but by the social and health concerns we share as a global community. Around the world, 500 million people are estimated to be currently living with hepatitis B or C; that is one in 12 people worldwide. Each year, approximately 1 million people die from viral hepatitis. In Australia, 217,000 people are currently living with hepatitis C and 170,000 with hepatitis B.

Both hepatitis B and C are preventable and both can be managed and treated -yet thousands of new infections occur every year. Stigma, discrimination, and a lack of awareness in the general community, still impact many people’s ability to access management or treatment options.

“The long-term objective of the global World Hepatitis Day (WHD) campaign is to prevent new infections and to deliver real improvements in health outcomes for people living with hepatitis B and C. Despite the enormity of the epidemics, community knowledge remains inexplicably low. The awareness-raising events associated with WHD therefore play an important role in educating the general public about viral hepatitis.” -- Hepatitis Australia 2012

How can I get involved?

* You can plan an event (like a BBQ, stalls, expo or art competition) in your community and put it on the Hepatitis Australia National calendar. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information

* You can order hepatitis resources from the online resource order form at the Hepatitis Queensland Website:
http://www.hepqld.asn.au/order/ You can also order WHD packs containing general resources with added WHD information, posters, pens and stickers.

* Go to the 12 global asks of the World Hepatitis Alliance http://www.worldhepatitisalliance.org/Policy/12_Asks.aspx and look at actions you can take on a local level.

* Go to the international site of the world Hepatitis Alliance http://www.worldhepatitisalliance.org/en/Home.aspx to see what is happening around the world

* You can set up a World Hepatitis Day display in your organisation’s foyer, local library or school during hepatitis awareness week. Or place World Hepatitis Day banners and information on your workplace’s website and intranet.

* Download the Australian Poster and place on notice boards and public places in your area:
http://bit.ly/ozwhd2012poster

* Plan a media release or write a letter to the editor of your local paper

* Host a Love Your Liver lunch to focus on liver health in your organisation or visit http://www.loveyourliver.com.au and circulate healthy liver recipes in your community

* Download the latest facts and figures information sheet and circulate to your networks

Thank you for your support of World Hepatitis Day 28 July.

This important campaign needs everyone working together to promote change in their community. On behalf of Hepatitis Queensland we would like to thank you for your support in promoting this campaign in your local community and workplaces across Queensland.

Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for any further information