Reflections on World Hepatitis Day 2020

World Hepatitis Day 2020 was like none before. With many of the usual face-to-face activities no longer possible, organisations around the world celebrated the day in innovative and predominantly online ways.

Hepatitis Victoria/LiverWELL’s recognition of this important day included a social media campaign for our community to raise awareness and pledge support to #EndHep, support of locally-based activities through our grants program, merchandise distribution and lots of media coverage.

#EndHep social media campaign

Many took to social media to post pictures and share their stories to spread the message that we can #EndHep. Check out the Facebook gallery.

Support of locally-based activities across Victoria

Hepatitis Victoria/LiverWELL provided grants for organisations to undertake to raise awareness about hepatitis in novel ways, and deliver the key message that Hepatitis is a virus we can eliminate.

Aboriginal health organisations, AOD services, hospitals and neighbourhood houses all took part.

Events and activities included webinars, live streamed information sessions, take home healthy meal packs, and much more.

“At Holden Street Neighbourhood House we were very pleased that this year, with Hepatitis Victoria/LiverWELL’s support, we were able to still conduct a successful and COVID-19 safe activity to continue to raise awareness about liver health and eliminating viral hepatitis,” said the Community Development and Communications Officer, Denise Frizzo.

Merchandise distribution

The World Hepatitis Day range of water bottles, stickers and pocket-sized hand sanitizers proved very popular and are now in use across Victoria – all adding to the awareness that Hepatitis is a virus we can eliminate.

Media coverage

Positive messages about hepatitis treatment, management and cure were featured on radio, television, and internet streaming services.

Of note, broadcasts were delivered in Vietnamese on SBS radio, and Khmer and Urdu on digital streaming services, as well as in English on local radio stations.

Listen to our:

• CEO Melanie Eagle’s interviews on Plenty FM and Gippsland’s Valley Talk
• Health Promotion Project Officer Helen Tran on SBS Vietnamese radio

Watch:

• A recording of a panel discussion between HEP Heroes pharmacist Dr Lim, Cambodian Community Advocate Sambath My and Melanie Eagle. Note this broadcast is for those who speak Khmer.

Channel 7’s The House of Wellness program featured segments on viral hepatitis in August episodes. HEP Hero John Kenney shared his story on Sunday 9 August and an interview with Melanie Eagle discussing the importance of increasing awareness about the prevalence and treatment and cure options for viral hepatitis will feature later in the month. We’ll provide access to each recording as soon as they are available.