On 28 July 2018, individuals and organizations around the world celebrated the eighth official World Hepatitis Day (WHD); it is one of just four disease-specific global awareness days officially endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). WHD 2018 saw the launch of “Find the Missing Millions” a three-year global advocacy and awareness-raising campaign, launched by the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA). This year’s participation figures demonstrate the continued global influence and impact of the day, with 144 countries, 93 governments and 53 WHO Country Offices taking part across the six regions of the world. WHD 2018 events were as varied as the countries they took place in: from big awareness-raising events in central squares of capital cities, to testing drives in remote mountainous villages. Moreover, press conferences, educational seminars, high-level meetings, marches, and testing and vaccination events were held across the globe with heads of State, ministers, politicians, celebrities, health professionals, private companies, civil society organizations, the media and the general public all showing their support for the day. Why Is Fighting Hepatitis Important? Hepatitis B and C cause over 1.3 million deaths per year – more than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis or…
