World Hepatitis Day 2021 in the Americas
A summary of World Hepatitis Alliance members’ World Hepatitis Day activities in the WHO Americas region
Celebrating World Hepatitis Day in the Americas
Despite restrictions on movement and large gatherings, World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) members in the WHO Americas region were able to effectively raise awareness online and in the media. A number of organisations ran successful advocacy campaigns.
About hepatitis and the World Hepatitis Alliance in the WHO Americas region
Over 10 million people are affected by chronic viral hepatitis in the Americas, with 6.2 million people living with hepatitis B and 3.9 million living with hepatitis C1. Nearly 53,000 people die as a result of viral hepatitis or related complications in the region each year1. Coverage of the birth dose vaccine within 24 hours is 67 per cent.
The World Hepatitis Alliance has 70 members across 13 countries in the WHO Americas region. These members work tirelessly to advocate for hepatitis elimination, to raise awareness, and to deliver testing and vaccination services in a range of contexts. You can find out more about them on the World Hepatitis Alliance’s website.
1 Data: CDA Foundation’s Polaris Observatory; 2021 [updated on 1 September 2021], Accessed 1 September 2021
World Hepatitis Day news and announcements from PAHO
- The WHO Regional Office for the Americas announced disruption of health services during the COVID-19 pandemic threatens the elimination of hepatitis in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published an update the Hepatitis C Elimination Programme in Georgia.
- Outreach worker Helen Lathouris received a $50,000 Connect-C grant to help expand women’s hepatitis C treatment program in Ontario.
- The Ministry of Public Health Uruguay and partners expand a campaign to eliminate hepatitis C in Uruguay.
Member activity: Argentina
Asociación Buena Vida
This World Hepatitis Day Asociación Buena Vida participated in the conferences held by the WHO Directorate for the Response to HIV, STIs, Viral Hepatitis and Tuberculosis. The event featured the participation of senior WHO leaders, global experts and a panel of political, international and regional stakeholders and civil society from all WHO regions to discuss opportunities that accelerate the response to hepatitis and achieve elimination by 2030.
Asociación Buena Vida took part in the WHA ‘Hepatitis Can’t Wait’ webinar series as well as the global virtual relay.
Member activity: Canada
Hepatitis Outreach Society of Nova Scotia (Hep NS)
Hep NS promoted hepatitis awareness through an entertaining video on their social media channels. Furthermore, their peer outreach team set up a stand locally where they gave out goodie bags while educating their community about hepatitis
Member activity: Colombia
Asociacion Norte Santandereana de Hepatitis Virales
This World Heatitis Day Asociacion Norte Santandereana de Hepatitis Virales offered hepatitis testing and education in Norte de Santander municipality. Held under the ‘Hepatitis can’t Wait’ theme, the testing event served to remind the community of the urgent need to eliminate viral hepatitis.
They expand on their activities in their WHA global virtual relay entry.
Member activity: Guatemala
Asociación Guatemalteca del Hígado
This World Hepatitis Day Asociación Guatemalteca del Hígado shared the ‘Hepatitis Can’t Wait’ message in their global virtual relay entry. They also took part in the NOhep ‘Point to the time’ activation.
Member activity: United States
Hepatitis B Initiative of Washington DC (HBI-DC)
This year HBI-DC took World Hepatitis Day as an opportunity to raise awareness of viral hepatitis and promote their free hepatitis testing services. They also participated in the NOhep ‘Point to the time’ activation.
Hepatitis B Foundation
The Hepatitis B Foundation marked World Hepatitis day with the ‘Find your why’ digital campaign focused on raising funds for the foundation and the ‘More than B’ campaign focused on sharing stories of people affected by hepatitis B.
They also took part in WHA global virtual relay and the NOhep ‘Point to the time’ campaign.
Hep Free Hawaii
Hep Free Hawaii held their annual updates meeting on World Hepatitis Day to help raise awareness, get tested, and support others. During the meeting, they shared statements and testimonies of support, including legislative champions like Senator Mazie K. Hirono.
Hep Free Hawaii joined the WHA global virtual relay and the NOhep ‘Point to the time’ campaign.
Hepatitis C Mentor & Support Group
The Hepatitis C Mentor & Support Group marked World Hepatitis Day with a webinar examining the topic of the hepatitis C cure entitled ‘The Elimination of hepatitis C: From the clinic to the streets’.
They spread awareness of the day online by sharing educational materials and participating in the NOhep ‘Point to the time’ activation
San Francisco Hepatitis C Task Force
This World Hepatitis Day the San Francisco Hepatitis C Task Force shared their ‘Don’t go viral Get tested. Get cured’ message in the WHA global virtual relay.
Member activity: Uruguay
APAHE
APAHE marked World Hepatitis Day with a visit to Punta de Rieles prison in Montevideo, Uruguay. The goal of the visit was to raise health literacy among inmates as a step towards hepatitis elimination.
APAHE participated in WHA global virtual relay sharing a ‘Hepatitis Can’t Wait’ message.
Member activity: Venezuela
Hepatitis C Venezuela
Hepatitis C Venezuela took part in radio programs and television interviews on World Hepatitis Day to raise awareness and disseminate lifesaving information about viral hepatitis. They also held a webinar that was attended by medical societies, and government groups. The webinar focused on improving the availability of hepatitis C cure in Venezuela, as it is currently not covered by health insurance.
