National Hepatitis Testing Day2026 · Date · History
CDC records that the 2011 HHS viral hepatitis action plan established May 19 as National Hepatitis Testing Day and that the first observance occurred in 2012; current CDC material continues to use May 19.
About National Hepatitis Testing Day
National Hepatitis Testing Day is a U.S. public-health awareness day observed on May 19.
CDC records that the 2011 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services viral hepatitis action plan established May 19 as National Hepatitis Testing Day, with the first observance in 2012.
Why National Hepatitis Testing Day matters
The day is intended to raise awareness of viral hepatitis and the role of testing in connecting people with appropriate information and care.
General awareness material cannot determine whether any particular person has hepatitis or what testing or treatment is appropriate for them.
History of National Hepatitis Testing Day
HHS published its national viral hepatitis action plan in 2011.
CDC’s 2012 MMWR states that the HHS action plan established May 19 as National Hepatitis Testing Day.
CDC marked the first National Hepatitis Testing Day in May 2012 and continues to recognize May 19 in current awareness material.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
CDC states that the HHS viral hepatitis action plan established May 19 as National Hepatitis Testing Day.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
2011 HHS Action Plan for the Prevention, Care, and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis
First documented observance
CDC’s 2012 MMWR describes the first National Hepatitis Testing Day in that year.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Current federal public-health material continues to recognize the observance.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
3 fields not established in reviewed sources
Also known as
Hepatitis Testing Day
How to Observe National Hepatitis Testing Day
Use current CDC or other public-health resources to learn about viral hepatitis and testing.
If you have personal questions about testing or care, use qualified healthcare guidance appropriate to your circumstances.
Share stigma-free educational material and avoid assumptions about another person’s health status or risk.
Protect medical information and test results as private information unless the person concerned chooses to disclose them.
National Hepatitis Testing Day Facts
National Hepatitis Testing Day is observed on May 19 in the United States.
CDC states that the 2011 HHS viral hepatitis action plan established the date.
The first National Hepatitis Testing Day was observed in 2012.
The observance is a public-health awareness day, not a diagnosis or individualized testing recommendation.
Privacy and stigma-aware language are important when discussing infectious-disease testing.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Health Information Not Medical Advice.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
CDC MMWR — Hepatitis Awareness Month and National Hepatitis Testing Day, May 2012 (opens in a new tab)
Federal Health Record
CDC — National Hepatitis Testing Day / Hepatitis Awareness Month (opens in a new tab)
Federal Health Current
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is National Hepatitis Testing Day?
19 May annually; 19 May 2026 verified The documented recurrence rule is: 19 May.
Does National Hepatitis Testing Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is National Hepatitis Testing Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United States / CDC viral-hepatitis awareness. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes National Hepatitis Testing Day?
The reviewed sources identify U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as the proclaiming or establishing body. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Is National Hepatitis Testing Day international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to United States. Its fuller verified scope is: United States / CDC viral-hepatitis awareness.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-10-03.
When is National Hepatitis Testing Day?
It is observed on May 19.
When did it begin?
CDC records the first National Hepatitis Testing Day in 2012 after the 2011 HHS action plan established May 19.
Who established the date?
CDC attributes the establishment of May 19 to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services viral hepatitis action plan.
Does awareness information tell me whether I need a test?
No. Individual testing decisions depend on personal circumstances and current clinical guidance.
Other observances on May 19
These observances are also listed on May 19, 2027.
National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
HIV.gov states that National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is observed annually on May 19 and brings attention to HIV in Asian and Pacific Islander communities.
National Barber Mental Health Awareness Day
The National Association of Barbers identifies May 19 as Barber Mental Health Awareness Day and publishes industry-focused mental-health awareness guidance for the date.
National Mechanical Dry Eye Day
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World Fair Play Day
A/RES/78/310
World IBD Day
The official World IBD Day campaign states that the observance was created in 2010 during Digestive Disease Week, takes place each May 19, and is coordinated by IFCCA with patient organizat…