World Hepatitis Day

This World Hepatitis Day, LiverWELL is proud to be part of the national Take the Next Step campaign, encouraging Victorians to take action towards better liver health.

Whether you’ve been:

• Thinking about getting vaccinated for hepatitis B
• Diagnosed with hepatitis B but not having regular monitoring
• Considering getting tested for hepatitis C
• Thinking about starting hepatitis C treatment
• Unsure of your risk or what comes next

Now is the time to take the next step.

Taking action today can provide peace of mind, improve your health, and help prevent serious liver disease and liver cancer.

1. Understand Your Risk

Many people living with hepatitis B or hepatitis C have no symptoms and may be unaware they have the virus. Understanding whether you have any risk factors and getting tested if needed are important first steps to protecting your liver health.

2. Talk to a Health Professional

A conversation with your GP or healthcare provider can help you understand your risk and what testing, vaccination or monitoring may be right for you. You can also call LiverLine on 1800 703 003, our free, confidential and non-judgemental phone service that provides information, support and referrals.

3. Get Tested

Many people are unaware they are living with hepatitis B or hepatitis C. A simple blood test can provide answers. Importantly, routine blood tests do not automatically test for hepatitis B or hepatitis C. You need to ask for these specific tests. You can visit our Hep Services Directory to find a liver health service near you.

4. Get Treated

Effective treatments are available.

• Hepatitis C can be cured with antiviral medication.
• Hepatitis B can be managed through regular monitoring and treatment when required, helping reduce the risk of liver damage and liver cancer.

Whether it’s getting tested, vaccinated, monitored or treated, your next step could protect your liver and change your future.

Understand your risk. Talk to a health professional. Get tested. Get treated.

The impact of viral hepatitis remains significant in Victoria, Australia and around the world.

• Globally, a person dies every 30 seconds from a hepatitis-related illness.
• More than 74,000 Victorians are living with hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
• Viral hepatitis places people at increased risk of liver disease, cirrhosis and liver cancer.
• Liver cancer is the fastest-growing cause of cancer death in Australia.
• Nearly 40% of Victorians living with hepatitis C have not yet received curative antiviral treatment.
• While an estimated 70% of people living with chronic hepatitis B have been diagnosed, fewer than 30% are receiving ongoing care and monitoring.

To eliminate viral hepatitis, we need more people to know their status, access care and receive treatment when needed.

The date of 28 July was chosen for World Hepatitis Day in honour of the birthday of Nobel Laureate Professor Baruch Samuel Blumberg, discoverer of the hepatitis B virus and developer of the first hepatitis B vaccine based on research of the Australian antigen.

World Hepatitis Day is one of nine urgent International Health days highlighted by the World Health Organization and partners across the globe.

LiverWELL is committed to working alongside community organisations, health services and local partners to increase awareness of viral hepatitis and improve access to testing, care and support.

This World Hepatitis Day, community activities are being delivered across Victoria to engage priority populations and communities affected by viral hepatitis and liver disease. Activities include education sessions, awareness events, testing opportunities and referral pathways.

Activities are being delivered in partnership with organisations including:

• cohealth Innerspace (Collingwood, 7 July)
• Australian Multicultural Community Services (Seddon, 21 July)
• cohealth Healthworks (Footscray, 27 July)
• Migrant Resource Centre (Roxburgh Park, 27 July)
• Chinese Cancer and Chronic Illness Society of Victoria (Box Hill, 28 July) – a community hepatitis B awareness event that is open to the public, with further details to be announced soon.
• Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Cooperative (Horsham, 28 July)
• Migrant Resource Centre (Sunshine, 28 July)
• Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation (Wodonga, 28 July)
• Primary Care Connect (Shepparton, 28 July)

Through these partnerships, communities across Victoria are being connected with trusted information, support services, testing opportunities and pathways to care, helping to improve awareness, early diagnosis and liver health outcomes.

As part of the national Australia Glows Green campaign, landmarks across Victoria and Australia will be illuminated in green to mark World Hepatitis Day.

This year in Victoria we will be lighting up:

• Melbourne Town Hall
• The Bolte bridge
• CityLink Sound Tube
• Geelong Waterfront Catenary Lights

Green is the internationally recognised colour for hepatitis awareness, symbolising renewal, growth and hope for a future free from hepatitis-related stigma and harm. Lighting up landmarks helps raise awareness of hepatitis B and hepatitis C, show support for people affected by viral hepatitis, and call for action to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok — and help amplify World Hepatitis Day by liking and sharing our posts throughout July!

#WorldHepatitisDay #WHD26 #TakeTheNextStep

Explore facts, testing information, and support options.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis C

LiverLine

LiverLine is our free, confidential and non-judgmental phone service for anyone seeking information, support or referrals about liver health.

Whether you’re living with a liver condition like hepatitis, worried about your liver health, or supporting someone who is, our trained staff are here to help.

Call us on 1800 703 003, Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.

Hep Services Directory

Our Hep Services Directory is designed to help people connect with liver health services, including but not limited to services for viral hepatitis B and C.

Help us educate, advocate, and provide the resources needed to improve liver health across the community. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a meaningful impact.

Australia’s World Hepatitis Day 2026

World Hepatitis Day International Website

Sources

MacLachlan JH, Romero N, Purcell I, Cowie BC. Viral Hepatitis Mapping Project: Hepatitis B National Report 2022. Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia: ASHM; 2024. Viral Hepatitis Mapping Project: Hepatitis B :: National Report 2022 (ashm.org.au)

MacLachlan JH, Purcell I, Romero N, Cowie BC. Viral Hepatitis Mapping Project: Hepatitis C National Report 2021–2023. Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia: ASHM; 2024. Viral Hepatitis Mapping Project: Hepatitis C :: National Report 2021-2023 (ashm.org.au)