World Hepatitis Day Events Calendar 2022

A range of community and health organisations will be hosting events around the state to help raise awareness the week of World Hepatitis Day. These events include workshops, talks, and lunches for the general public, health care organisations and ‘at risk communities’ where the prevalence of viral hepatitis is high.

• Dardi Munwurro – Information and personal stories on viral hepatitis, with a smoking ceremony for cleansing, and information guest speakers and a short film.
• Healthworks Footscray – Service users love incentives and getting involved with their community. A coffee van and discussion with health professionals helps to engage people and raise awareness of viral hepatitis and primary healthcare with clients.
• Indochinese Elderly Refugees Association VIC – Delivering a talk about hepatitis B and C, and encouraging people to get a blood test.
• Alevi Community Council of Australia – An information session will be held in community language (Turkish) with merchandise (bags and drink bottles). Catering and transportation of vulnerable community members will be provided.
• The Salvation Army Flagstaff Accommodation and The Open Door – Our Love your Liver Day event will be a healthy lunch with a quiz. A liver specialist will talk about the importance of liver check ups. Harm Reduction Victoria will also be running a hepatitis workshop at Flagstaff Accommodation.
• Springvale Neighbourhood House – An event on 26 July combines both North Dandenong and Springvale Neighbourhood House Friendship Cafe. They will have an outdoor event with a bike & blend – where participants cycle to make their very own juice and learn about all the things good for your liver. Vietnamese and Chinese guest speakers will speak about their personal experiences with hepatitis and its prominence in particular communities, with encouragement to get tested. A lunch for participants will feature all foods from the rainbow with every colour highlighting which area of our body it is good for.
• Vietnamese Australian Foundation – Multiple educational sessions will be held for priority groups focusing on viral hepatitis B and C and liver cancer. The education sessions will highlight transmission, testing and treatment, addressing associated stigma, and common myths.
• Centre for Culture, Ethnicity & Health – Education sessions on viral hepatitis will be held at various locations with community groups.
• Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative – A hepatitis awareness-raising day will be held during the week beginning 25 July 2022. This provides a safe space for elders and community members to speak about getting tested and reducing stigma and shame around this issue. In partnership with local high schools young people will provide ideas for raising awareness particularly around backyard tattooing and body piercing. A dance group will teach a dance to our youth groups to raise awareness hepatitis and promote the benefits of having a healthy active lifestyle. The day will include fun activities like jewellery making, art and craft, live music, bush tucker and more.
• Barwon Health – The event provides a range of safer drug use information, equipment and orientation to hepatitis C testing and treatment, along with food and nutritional advice via gift bags. This will be facilitated by Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Services, harm reduction team, and Barwon Health Liver Clinic consulting staff.

These organisations have received support from LiverWELL’s Incentives Program, to host events dedicated to spreading awareness of viral hepatitis and further educating the community.