World Hepatitis Day: The Canadian Liver Foundation joins the fight to eliminate viral hepatitis

July 28, 2023 – Today marks World Hepatitis Day, a vital initiative that serves as a call to action to accelerate the elimination efforts of viral hepatitis and raise awareness about some of the most serious and burdensome infectious diseases. Every 30 seconds, a hepatitis-related illness claims a life, with more than 1.2 million lives lost each year to hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

The Canadian Liver Foundation joins the global push to prioritize those affected by viral hepatitis and the calls for increased access to prevention, testing, and treatment. More than 350 million people are living with viral hepatitis globally, and nine in 10 people are unaware of their diagnosis.

Canada has signed on to the World Health Organization (WHO)’s global viral hepatitis strategy, with the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. Canadian organizations have several asks for federal, provincial, and municipal leaders to achieve this result.

Canadian facts related to viral hepatitis:

• An estimated 204,000 people in Canada were living with chronic hepatitis C in 2019.
• Hepatitis B and C are among Canada’s most burdensome infectious diseases – measured in years of life lost and in costs to our health-care system.
• According to Action Hepatitis Canada’s Progress Report 2023, Ontario, Manitoba, Quebec and the Yukon are not on track to meet the 2030 target for elimination.
• Viral hepatitis disproportionately affects a number of marginalized populations.

Learn more about viral hepatitis here. 

The Canadian Liver Foundation has experts on call for World Hepatitis Day to answer questions or participate in interviews. Canadians are also invited to join in on World Hepatitis Day virtually and be part of the global movement to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat, ensuring a healthier future for all.

Media contact:

Holly Nyenkamp
hnyenkamp@liver.ca