World Hepatitis Day is celebrated on 28 July. In Australia, World Hepatitis Day is coordinated by the national peak body Hepatitis Australia, to raise awareness and promote action on viral hepatitis.  

Australia's World Hepatitis Day 2023 message is to eliminate viral hepatitis in the country. 

Australia is one of 194 World Health Organization member states who voted unanimously in 2010 to adopt the Global Hepatitis Elimination Strategy to achieve elimination of hepatitis B and hepatitis C by 2030. This commitment has informed the development of our National Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander BBV/ STIs Strategies 2018-2022, which provide national progress targets to the end of 2022. It is also driving development of these strategies from 2023-2030 as we strive to make elimination happen. 

The good news is, the coverage rate for hepatitis B immunisation in both 12-month and 24-month-old babies reached 95% in Australia – ahead of the 2022 National Strategy childhood immunisation target! 

However, the 2022 Fact Sheet shows some deeply concerning statistics for Australians today.  

Hepatitis B and C Explained

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver, which is often caused by viruses. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are the most common forms of hepatitis viruses in Australia. Hepatitis B and C are blood-borne viruses. They most commonly transmitted from sharing or reusing injecting equipment, sharing of personal items (like razors), mother to child transmission, tattoos and through sexual contact.

According to UNSW Sydney's The Kirby Institute, there are approximately 232,200 people living with hepatitis B in Australia and an estimated 227,306 people living with hepatitis C. Globally, more than 300 million people are living with chronic hepatitis B or C. In Australia, children are vaccinated against hepatitis B and we now have medications that can control hepatitis B and cure hepatitis C, however these viruses remain a considerable public health challenge, and stigma and discrimination are experienced by the populations most affected by hepatitis B and C.

If you are unsure about your exposure to either disease, get screened today!

If you or your loved ones are suffering from a chronic disease and need support in your home, Right at Home can help. With 43 offices around Australia we are ready to deliver home care services that support and assist the elderly, those living with a disability or chronic disease and those requiring post hospital or transitional care. We deliver companion care, personal care and Nursing care services in your own home. Contact your local Right at Home Office here .

Keep up to date with COVID 19 information on the following links: 

Australian Government Department of Health 

Victorian Health and Human Services 

NSW Health 

Queensland Health 

ACT Health 

WA Department of Health 

Tasmanian Department of Health 

Northern Territory Department of Health 

SA Health 

Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home companionship and personal care, and assistance to seniors (elderly and aged care), and any adult who needs our care at home including adults living with a disability who want to continue to live independently or age in their home. Right at Home is your local expert for issues related to caring for your loved ones and is dedicated to keeping you informed about home care. With no package management fees Right at Home allows you to get more care from your package or budget. 

Right at Home is a 'My Aged Care' government approved, home care provider for levels 1 – 4 and offers flexible in-home care services such as nursing care, after hospital care, post-operative care, respite care, dementia and Alzheimer's care. Right at Home also offers assistance with daily living and personal care such as grooming, hygiene, transport, shopping, meal prep, domestic services and social support, so your loved one can enjoy a more independent, vibrant life. Our nurses and caregivers are screened, highly trained, and insured prior to entering your home so you can trust us with the caregiving while you focus on your loved one. 

To find out more, please give us a call on 1300 363 802 or visit our website. 

Right at Home Offices in Australia: ACT Canberra; ACT & Queanbeyan; Adelaide Central; Brisbane Bayside; Brisbane North; Brisbane South; Brisbane West; Central Queensland & Wide Bay; Darling Downs; Far North Queensland; Gold Coast North; Gold Coast South; Greater Logan; Mackay; Moreton Bay Region; Noosa, Gympie & Hinterland; Sunshine Coast; Townsville; Central West New South Wales; Gosford; Hunter & Port Stephens; Macarthur Penrith; Newcastle; Northern Rivers; Padstow St George; Southern NSW; Sydney Central & Eastern Suburbs; Sydney Inner West; Sydney Liverpool; Sydney Lower North Shore; Sydney Norwest; Sydney Northern Beaches; Sydney Parramatta; Sydney Ryde; Sydney The Hills; Sydney Upper North Shore; Kalgoorlie Wheatbelt; Perth Como; Perth Midland; Perth Northern Suburbs; Perth West Coast; Southwest Victoria