World Hepatitis Day 2025: Let’s Break It Down
Globally, chronic viral hepatitis causes 1.3 million deaths every year, mostly from liver cancer and cirrhosis. That's 3,500 deaths every day.
In 2022, in the Eastern Mediterranean Region,12 million people were living with hepatitis C, and 15 million with hepatitis B.
There were 86,000 new hepatitis C cases, and 183,000 new cases of hepatitis B.
In the same year, there were 41,000 deaths due to hepatitis B, and 56,000 due to hepatitis C.
Despite being preventable and treatable, the disease continues to cause untold suffering.
For the public
Early diagnosis is the first step to accessing lifesaving treatment. Get tested for hepatitis today.
Test for hepatitis B – especially during pregnancy.
Vaccinate newborns with the hepatitis B birth dose within 24 hours.
For policy-makers
To end hepatitis as a public health threat, governments should:
Expand hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination, safe blood/injection practices and harm reduction programmes.
Fully integrate affordable testing and treatment into primary care across health platforms, including HIV and other communicable and noncommunicable care pathways, cancer control and maternal and child health.
Ensure hepatitis services are embedded in universal health coverage and national insurance schemes.
Engage all stakeholders and invest in strong data systems for accountability.
For national health authorities
National health authorities should work to:
Prioritize early diagnosis and treatment, with a focus on high burden and underserved communities.
Integrate hepatitis prevention into maternal and child health programmes.
Ensure access to testing and treatment.
Mobilize sustainable funding and use data to drive progress.