Hepatitis B advocate Shaibu Issa walks on Kawe Beach in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. "I want to dedicate my time, effort and everything I have to eliminating hepatitis," he said.
Theme for World Hepatitis Day 2025
Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down
Key messages
1. Hepatitis is a leading cause of liver cancer – and a growing global killer.
Chronic viral hepatitis causes 1.3 million deaths every year, mostly from liver cancer and cirrhosis. That's 3500 deaths every single day – on par with tuberculosis. Hepatitis B and C are spreading silently, with 6000 new infections daily. Despite being preventable and treatable, the disease burden continues to rise, especially in regions with limited access to care.
2. Knowing your status is the first step to stopping liver cancer.
Most people living with hepatitis don’t know they’re infected. Early diagnosis is the first step to accessing life-saving treatment and preventing liver cancer. Testing – especially for those in endemic regions or at higher risk – is critical to ending hepatitis.
3. We can prevent 2.8 million deaths by 2030 – but only if countries act now.
Hepatitis elimination is within reach. We have vaccines, curative therapies, and proven tools to stop transmission. Most cases go undiagnosed until it’s too late. Progress demands national commitment, smart investment, and public health systems that embed hepatitis services into primary care. Investing in timely diagnosis and integrated, people-centred care will save lives and stop liver cancer before it starts.
Call to action: Hepatitis elimination to prevent deaths and liver cancer
For the public:
- Get tested for hepatitis B and C.
- Vaccinate newborns with the hepatitis B birth dose within 24 hours.
- Learn the facts and talk to your healthcare provider about early testing and treatment.
- Help stop stigma by sharing accurate information.
For policymakers and governments:
- Lead and fund awareness campaigns linking hepatitis to care liver cancer prevention.
- Expand hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination, safe blood/injection practices, and harm reduction.
- Scale up affordable, decentralized testing and treatment integrated into primary care across health platforms, including HIV and other communicable and Non-communicable (NCD) care pathways, cancer control, and maternal and child health.
- Embed hepatitis services in universal health coverage and national insurance schemes.
- Engage all stakeholders and invest in strong data systems for accountability.
For national health authorities:
- Prioritize early diagnosis and treatment, focusing on high burden and underserved communities.
- Decentralize services to primary and district health centers.
- Integrate hepatitis prevention into maternal and child health programs.
- Ensure free or universal access to testing and treatment.
- Mobilize sustainable funding and use data to drive progress.