World Hepatitis Day Ribbon

World Hepatitis Day 2022

Jul 27, 2022 | Anjana Rao

July 28th is World Hepatitis Day, an opportunity to raise awareness about, recognize the impact of, and decrease the stigma associated with viral hepatitis across the world. Viral hepatitis is a leading public health threat, contributing to cirrhosis, liver cancer and transplants, and—prior to the COVID-19 pandemic—more deaths in the United States than any other infectious disease.

Visit here to see the World Health Organization’s key messages for World Hepatitis Day 2022 and visit here to access graphics, videos, and posters to share on social media.

Below, learn more about viral hepatitis in the United States and the role of local health departments in the prevention and elimination of viral hepatitis.

Viral Hepatitis in the U.S. and the Role of Local Health Departments in Prevention & Elimination

The viral hepatitis epidemic in the U.S. involves three related viruses: hepatitis A (HAV), which is primarily spread through person-to-person contact or ingestion of contaminated food or water; hepatitis B (HBV), which is primarily spread through sexual contact, sharing syringes and other injection equipment, or perinatally from parent to child at birth; and hepatitis C (HCV), which is primarily spread through injection drug use but can also be spread sexually or perinatally.

In recognition of Hepatitis Awareness Month, NACCHO is launching a new infographic characterizing viral hepatitis trends in the U.S., opportunities and barriers related to the prevention and elimination of viral hepatitis, and the role of local health departments (LHDs) in hepatitis prevention and elimination. Check out the infographic here.

We have the tools to eliminate viral hepatitis in the U.S., but social and structural barriers, stigma and discrimination, and insufficient funding limit access to services and contribute to inequities significant gaps and barriers remain:

As a result of these barriers and gaps, viral hepatitis is on the rise in the U.S.:

LHDs play a critical role in the prevention and elimination of viral hepatitis, assuring access to hepatitis surveillance, prevention, testing, and treatment services.


LHDs also lead a coordinated, cross-sector approach to hepatitis within the broader context of the syndemic of HIV/STIs, viral hepatitis, and substance use.

However, LHDs face myriad barriers and need significant support to scale up hepatitis services and ultimately prevent and eliminate viral hepatitis:


About Anjana Rao

More posts by Anjana Rao

Related Posts

Request for Applications: Using Effective Media...

Applications are due December 6th, 2023, at 11:59 PT.

Nov 29, 2023

Request for Applications: Using Effective Media...

STI in Jail Settings Webinar 5
  • HIV, STI, & Viral Hepatitis

Sexual Health Services in Jails Webinar

January 10th at 2pm EST.

Nov 29, 2023

Sexual Health Services in Jails Webinar

Office Hours ALL 3
  • HIV, STI, & Viral Hepatitis

HIV Marketing Webinar: Office Hours

December 14th at 1pm EST.

Nov 29, 2023

HIV Marketing Webinar: Office Hours

2023 24 Virus Season
  • COVID-19
  • Tools & Resources
  • ID Featured
  • Immunization

Navigating the 2023-2024 Fall and Winter Virus Season

This resource post consolidates key CDC recommendations for this year’s fall...

Nov 29, 2023 | Irene Halferty

Navigating the 2023-2024 Fall and Winter Virus Season

HIV ALL 6
  • HIV, STI, & Viral Hepatitis

HIV Marketing Webinar

NACCHO and KFF continued their marketing and communications webinar series with...

Nov 29, 2023

HIV Marketing Webinar

  • HIV, STI, & Viral Hepatitis

Digest (November 22, 2023)

HIV, STI, Viral Hepatitis, and Harm Reduction Digest: November 22, 2023

Nov 24, 2023

Digest (November 22, 2023)

I Stock 1176649650
  • Funding Opportunity
  • Communications & Public Relations
  • Harm Reduction
  • Injury and Violence Prevention

RFP: Overdose and Harm Reduction: Communications and...

With support from the CDC, NACCHO is seeking a consultant to develop and...

Nov 22, 2023 | Andrea Grenadier

RFP: Overdose and Harm Reduction: Communications and...

LHD One Health Post USAAW 1
  • Antibiotic Resistance
  • Community Health
  • ID Featured
  • Infection, Prevention, and Control

Local Health Department’s One Health Surveillance...

NACCHO spoke with two LHDs, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and...

Nov 20, 2023 | Jaclyn Abramson

Local Health Department’s One Health Surveillance...

IPC Collaborative RFA 2
  • Funding Opportunity
  • Community Health
  • ID Featured
  • Infection, Prevention, and Control

Request for Applications: Infection Prevention and...

NACCHO, in partnership with CDC’s Project Firstline, is requesting applications...

Nov 16, 2023 | Kimberly Nalley, Irene Halferty

Request for Applications: Infection Prevention and...

Back to Top