World Hepatitis Day2026 · Date · History · Messages · Quotes
WHO observance
About World Hepatitis Day
World Hepatitis Day is observed on 28 July under the World Health Organization to increase awareness of viral hepatitis and strengthen action on prevention, testing, care and treatment.
The observance addresses a group of viral infections that affect the liver. Because the viruses, transmission routes, prevention options and treatments differ, responsible content should avoid presenting “hepatitis” as one uniform condition.
Why World Hepatitis Day matters
Awareness matters because viral hepatitis can go undiagnosed, but a general observance page cannot determine whether someone is infected or what testing or treatment they need.
People with health concerns should use current medical guidance and qualified health services; public pages should focus on accurate awareness and reducing stigma.
History of World Hepatitis Day
The World Hepatitis Alliance records 19 May 2008 as the first community-led World Hepatitis Day. That advocacy phase predates the official WHO observance and is preserved as a precursor rather than treated as a former official WHO date.
World Health Assembly resolution WHA63.18, adopted on 21 May 2010, designated 28 July as World Hepatitis Day. WHO records 28 July 2011 as the first official World Hepatitis Day under that framework.
The 28 July date is the birthday of scientist Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus and contributed to the development of diagnostic testing and vaccination.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Community-led World Hepatitis Day
The World Hepatitis Alliance-led community observance preceded the 2010 World Health Assembly designation of 28 July and the first official WHO World Hepatitis Day on 28 July 2011.
World Health Assembly
World Health Assembly resolution WHA63.18
First documented observance
WHO records describe 28 July 2011 as the first official World Hepatitis Day following the 2010 World Health Assembly resolution.
World Health Organization (WHO)
WHO operates the annual World Hepatitis Day campaign and publishes campaign materials and calls to action.
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
Predecessor and precursor observances
Earlier or merged observances are kept separate from former names and later institutional actions.
How to Observe World Hepatitis Day
Use WHO or national health-service information to learn the differences among viral hepatitis types.
Promote testing and vaccination information only where supported by current health-authority guidance.
Challenge stigma by using neutral, medically accurate language about infection and care.
If organizing a workplace or community activity, involve qualified health professionals rather than offering informal medical screening advice.
World Hepatitis Day Facts
World Hepatitis Day is officially observed on 28 July.
The World Hepatitis Alliance records a community-led World Hepatitis Day on 19 May 2008 before the WHO designation.
World Health Assembly resolution WHA63.18 designated 28 July as World Hepatitis Day in 2010.
WHO records 28 July 2011 as the first official World Hepatitis Day.
The date is the birthday of Baruch Blumberg.
The 19 May community observance is treated as a precursor, not a former official WHO date.
Annual campaign statistics and themes need regular refreshing.
World Hepatitis Day Messages
World Hepatitis Day is a reminder to listen without stigma, share trustworthy information and treat every person with dignity.
On World Hepatitis Day, support hepatitis prevention, testing, vaccination where appropriate, and access to care.
Marking World Hepatitis Day with care means learning from credible sources and making space for the voices and experiences of people most affected.
Today, may World Hepatitis Day turn attention into informed action, empathy and support that lasts beyond a single day.
On World Hepatitis Day, may awareness be matched by compassion, reliable information and practical support for people directly affected.
World Hepatitis Day Quotes
“Every 30 seconds, someone dies from a hepatitis-related severe liver disease or liver cancer. Yet we have the tools to stop hepatitis.”
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.
World Health Organization — first official World Hepatitis Day, 28 July 2011 (opens in a new tab)
World Health Organization — WHA63.18, Viral hepatitis (opens in a new tab)
World Health Organization — World Hepatitis Day (opens in a new tab)
Dedicated Authoritative Page
World Hepatitis Alliance — Annual Report 2017 / ten-year timeline (opens in a new tab)
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 World Hepatitis Day?
28 July The documented recurrence rule is: 28 July.
Does World Hepatitis Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is World Hepatitis Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: World Health Organization global health observance. 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 World Hepatitis Day?
The reviewed sources identify World Health Assembly as the proclaiming or establishing body. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as World Health Organization (WHO).
Is World Hepatitis Day international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: World Health Organization global health observance. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
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 2026-09-05.
Why is World Hepatitis Day on 28 July?
The date is the birthday of Baruch Blumberg, whose work included the discovery of the hepatitis B virus and major advances in diagnosis and vaccination.
Is viral hepatitis one disease?
No. Several different viruses can cause hepatitis, and their transmission, prevention and treatment differ.
Can this page tell me whether I need a hepatitis test?
No. Testing recommendations depend on medical and public-health guidance, so personal questions should be discussed with qualified health services.
Other observances on July 28
These observances are also listed on July 28, 2027.
Anniversary of the Fall of Fascism and Freedom Day
San Marino official holiday calendars list 28 July as the Anniversary of the Fall of Fascism and Freedom Day.
Día de las Instituciones de Cantabria
Parliament of Cantabria records the 1993 institutional declaration and 1778 date rationale; the Official Gazette lists July 28 in the 2026 autonomous-community labour-holiday calendar.
Independence Day
Peru’s Congress identifies 28 July 1821 as the national independence proclamation date; current law lists July 28 and 29 as Fiestas Patrias, with July 28 retained as the Independence Day pa…
National Soccer Day
National Day Archives and National Today both place the informal observance on July 28; neither reviewed source establishes a statutory designation, reliable creator, first observance or ex…