World Hepatitis Day 2026

Hepatitis: Let’s break it down

World Hepatitis Day is observed every year on 28 July to raise awareness of viral hepatitis and promote action to eliminate it as a public health threat by 2030. 

This year’s theme, “Hepatitis: Let’s break it down,” calls for action to remove the barriers that prevent people from accessing hepatitis prevention, testing, treatment and care. 

In the Western Pacific Region, more than 100 million people live with hepatitis B or C, accounting for more than one third of the global burden. However, many people do not know their status. Further, many who are diagnosed still face barriers to treatment and care, including low awareness, limited service access and the cost of medicines. 

Hepatitis B and C can lead to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, but they can be prevented, tested and treated. Hepatitis C can be cured entirely, and hepatitis B can be treated to reduce the risk of liver disease and liver cancer. 

The Western Pacific Region has made strong progress in hepatitis B vaccination, reaching 78% timely birth-dose coverage and 88% three-dose coverage in 2024. Sustaining and expanding this progress remains essential so that every newborn is protected, everywhere. 

Breaking down barriers in the Western Pacific

The tools needed to prevent illness and deaths from viral hepatitis already exist. Effective vaccines, reliable diagnostics, curative treatment for hepatitis C and lifelong therapy for hepatitis B have transformed what is possible. 

The challenge is ensuring that these tools reach everyone who needs them. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) calls on countries, partners and communities to: 

• expand access to hepatitis B and C testing;
• make treatment and care more accessible and affordable;
• protect newborns through timely hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination within 24 hours after birth and completion of the full vaccine series;
• integrate hepatitis services into primary health care, maternal and child health services, HIV services, blood safety, cancer control and universal health coverage; and
• strengthen political commitment, sustainable financing, data systems and community engagement. 

Together, we can break down the barriers that continue to needlessly cost lives, expand access to lifesaving services, and move closer to ending viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. 

Bi-regional webinar: Accelerating hepatitis elimination in Asia and the Pacific 

To mark World Hepatitis Day 2026, the WHO Regional Offices for South-East Asia and the Western Pacific will host a bi-regional webinar: Accelerating hepatitis elimination in Asia and the Pacific: Action for everyone, everywhere, right now.

Date: 30 July 2026 

Time: 11:00 AM-1:00 PM IST / 1:30-3:30 PM Manila time (GMT+8)

The webinar will bring countries in Asia and the Pacific together to share experiences, lessons learned and progress towards eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat. 

The discussion will highlight:

• latest insights from the Global Hepatitis Report 2026 and regional progress towards elimination;
• real-world country experiences and lessons learned;
• innovative strategies to expand equitable access to hepatitis testing, treatment and care services; and
• priorities and actions needed to achieve the 2030 hepatitis elimination targets.

Global World Hepatitis Day 2026 online talk show

WHO will also host a high-level virtual talk show for World Hepatitis Day 2026 on 23 July 2026. The event will bring together government leaders, WHO leadership, partners, civil society, affected communities and hepatitis survivors to highlight the urgent need to improve access to prevention, testing and treatment, and to mobilize sustained political commitment and investment.

Get tested. Get treated. Get protected.

This World Hepatitis Day, WHO encourages everyone to learn the facts, talk to a health worker about hepatitis B and C testing, and help stop stigma by sharing accurate information.