Webinar Series
We will begin shortly.
We will not be taking roll call.
World Hepatitis Day
Planning & Updates
Michael Ninburg, Hepatitis Education Project & World Hepatitis Alliance
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
World Hepatitis Day

First launched by World Hepatitis Alliance in 2008. Officially
recognized by WHO at the World Health Assembly in May,
2010. First official WHD was July 28, 2011.

July 28 date was chosen to honor Baruch Blumberg

“28 July shall be designated as World Hepatitis Day in order
to provide an opportunity for education and greater
understanding of viral hepatitis as a global public health
problem, and to stimulate the strengthening of preventive
and control measures of this disease in Member States”
Why is this important?

1 in 12 people worldwide is living with
either HBV or HCV (~500 million people)
◦ Up to 65% of people in US with HBV unaware
of infection
◦ Up to 75% of people in US with HCV unaware
of infection
◦ HCV-related morbidity/mortality is rapidly
increasing in this country

What happened last year?
What happened last year?

WHD concert in NYC

White House event
◦ IOM Report
◦ HHS Action Plan
This is hepatitis…
It’s closer than you think
The campaign concept for 2012 and 2013 is “It’s Closer Than You Think.” The
campaign focuses on the prevalence of hepatitis, including that it affects 1 in 12
people. The campaign builds on “This is hepatitis…” from last year. It continues to
break down the stigma associated with hepatitis by bringing it ‘closer to home.’
This is hepatitis…
It’s closer than you think
This is hepatitis…
It’s closer than you think
Tier One

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Brochures/flyers/posters
Web banners/widgets
Promote on social media
Press release about World Hepatitis Day
Staff in-service
Ask clients if they know their HBV/HCV status
Include hepatitis on website for the day/week
Hepatitis article in newsletter
Web Banners
Posters/Flyers
Tier Two
Provide promotional materials
 Offer in-service to other organizations
 Survey clients/providers on hepatitis knowledge
 Produce public service announcements
 Editorial in local newspaper
 Proclamation
 Contact laboratories and diagnostics
manufacturers about cost of testing

Promotional Materials
Tier Three
Host a hepatitis event
◦ Testing
◦ Rally
◦ March/parade
 Start a hepatitis support group
 Offer testing and/or vaccination at your agency
 Offer hepatitis treatment in your clinic

Bringing individuals closer together:
A call to action for a World Record
The World Hepatitis Alliance is planning a Guinness World Record
attempt to celebrate WHD 2012 by having the most people
performing the “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” actions in 24
hours at multiple venues around the world.
www.worldhepatitisalliance.org
Important Partners

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
State/local health departments
Community based organizations
◦ Hepatitis, HIV, immunization, drug treatment,
corrections, faith-based, immigrant, etc.
Elected officials/policy makers
 Pharmaceutical partners
 Diagnostics partners
 Media

Resources
www.worldhepatitisalliance.org
 www.cdc.gov/hepatitis
 www.aids.gov/hepatitis
 www.who.int
 www.nvhr.org
 www.hcvadvocate.org
 www.hbvadvocate.org
 www.liverfoundation.org
 www.hepcchallenge.org

Michael Ninburg
mhninburg@hepeducation.org
206-732-0311