World Hepatitis Day: The Canadian Liver Foundation joins the fight to eliminate viral hepatitis
July 28, 2023 – Today marks World Hepatitis Day, a vital initiative that serves as a call to action to accelerate the elimination efforts of viral hepatitis and raise awareness about some of the most serious and burdensome infectious diseases. Every 30 seconds, a hepatitis-related illness claims a life, with more than 1.2 million lives lost each year to hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
The Canadian Liver Foundation joins the global push to prioritize those affected by viral hepatitis and the calls for increased access to prevention, testing, and treatment. More than 350 million people are living with viral hepatitis globally, and nine in 10 people are unaware of their diagnosis.
Le Canada a adhéré à la stratégie mondiale de lutte contre l'hépatite virale de l'Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS), dont l'objectif est d'éliminer l'hépatite virale en tant que menace pour la santé publique d'ici à 2030. Les organisations canadiennes ont plusieurs demandes pour les dirigeants fédéraux, provinciaux et municipaux de parvenir à ce résultat.
Faits canadiens relatifs à l'hépatite virale :
- An estimated 204,000 people in Canada were living with chronic hepatitis C in 2019.
- L'hépatite B et l'hépatite C font partie des maladies les plus répandues au Canada. les maladies infectieuses les plus lourdes - mesurée en années de vie perdues et en coûts pour notre système de santé.
- Selon le rapport d'Action Hépatite Canada Progress Report 2023, Ontario, Manitoba, Quebec and the Yukon are not on track to meet the 2030 target for elimination.
- Viral hepatitis disproportionately affects a number of marginalized populations.
Learn more about viral hepatitis ici.
The Canadian Liver Foundation has experts on call for World Hepatitis Day to answer questions or participate in interviews. Canadians are also invited to join in on World Hepatitis Day virtually and be part of the global movement to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat, ensuring a healthier future for all.
Media contact:
Holly Nyenkamp
hnyenkamp@liver.ca
