This World Hepatitis Day, Let’s Break It Down

Dr. Naveen Ganjoo, Senior Consultant – Hepatology

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), viral hepatitis has now become as deadly as tuberculosis. Every 30 seconds, someone in the world dies of viral hepatitis. The WHO’s 2024 Global Hepatitis Report reveals a sobering truth: viral hepatitis now causes 1.3 million deaths annually, making it the second leading infectious cause of death worldwide. Even more alarming is the fact that deaths from hepatitis are rising—not falling—despite the disease being preventable, treatable, and in many cases, curable.

Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver. While it can be caused by alcohol abuse, certain medications, autoimmune disorders, or exposure to toxic substances, the most common and dangerous forms are due to viruses—namely hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis A and E are transmitted through contaminated food or water, while hepatitis B, C, and D spread via blood and body fluids through unprotected sex, unsafe injections, shared needles, or from mother to child at birth. Among these, hepatitis B and C are the most severe. They often lead to chronic infections that can progress to liver cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer if left untreated. What makes these infections particularly dangerous is their silent progression—people may unknowingly carry the virus for 5, 10, or even 20 years, while liver damage slowly accrues.

According to WHO, 296 million people globally live with chronic hepatitis B, and 58 million live with hepatitis C. India carries one of the world’s highest burdens of these infections, yet awareness, screening, and treatment rates remain very low. But there’s good news: hepatitis is both preventable and treatable. The WHO aims to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. But this ambitious goal requires action. That’s why this World Hepatitis Day, observed on July 28, WHO is urging everyone to “Break It Down”—break the stigma, break the silence, and break the barriers to testing, treatment, and vaccination. Because every barrier we break can save a life.

One of the first steps we must take is to break the silence. Unlike other conditions like diabetes or heart disease, hepatitis remains a taboo topic—even within families. Many people only discover they have it when liver damage is already advanced. To break this silence, we must start conversations about liver health. Individuals should feel empowered to ask their doctors about hepatitis testing during routine check-ups. Community leaders, educators, and media platforms have a responsibility to normalize these discussions. Awareness begins with one voice. Let it be yours.

We must also break the stigma. There’s a lingering myth that hepatitis only affects people who consume alcohol, use drugs, or engage in so-called reckless behavior. This stigma prevents many people—particularly women and adolescents—from getting tested or seeking help. The truth is, hepatitis can affect anyone: children, homemakers, professionals, and even healthcare workers. We must stop blaming the patient and start speaking with compassion. Hepatitis is a medical condition, not a moral failing.

Breaking the misinformation around hepatitis is equally critical. Too many people still believe that the disease is rare, incurable, or always fatal. Others distrust the hepatitis B vaccine despite its decades-long track record of safety and effectiveness. The facts are clear: hepatitis B can be controlled with lifelong medication, and hepatitis C is curable in 8 to 12 weeks for most people. The hepatitis B vaccine is one of the safest and most effective tools in global public health, protecting billions around the world. Knowledge saves lives—ignorance costs them.

Another major hurdle is access. Millions of people, especially in rural or underserved areas, struggle to access hepatitis testing, treatment, or vaccination. Barriers such as cost, distance, and lack of information keep them from getting the care they need. This is where governments, NGOs, and hospitals must step in—with free screening camps, mobile health units, telemedicine consultations, and subsidized treatment programs. Individuals can also play a part by getting tested themselves, guiding others to free clinics, or supporting awareness and access initiatives. Healthcare should reach every home, not just the hospital.

Here’s the bottom line: one simple blood test can tell you if you have hepatitis B or C. Effective treatments and cures are available. Vaccines can prevent the disease altogether. But none of this matters unless we actively break the barriers standing in the way. This World Hepatitis Day don’t just read the headline—be part of the movement. Break the silence. Break the stigma. Break the myths. Break hepatitis.

Hepatitis can be silent—but it doesn’t have to be deadly. Early diagnosis is the key. A simple blood test could save your liver—and your life. If you’ve never been tested for hepatitis, or have a history of blood transfusions, dental procedures, surgery, injections, or tattoos, it’s time to take the first step. You might feel fine today. But your liver could be fighting silently. Get tested. Stay safe.