When is World Hepatitis Day?
World Hepatitis Day 2027 is on Wednesday
Wednesday, July 28, 2027
July 28 every year. That's in 284 days.
until World Hepatitis Day begins, in your time zone
World Hepatitis Day is a global health day, recognized by the World Health Assembly, that raises awareness of viral hepatitis and pushes for more testing, vaccination and treatment, with the aim of eliminating hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
About World Hepatitis Day
Viral hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by a virus, and the long-term forms, hepatitis B and C, can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer without anyone noticing symptoms for years. WHO estimates that about 240 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B in 2024 and about 47 million with chronic hepatitis C. Only about a quarter of people with hepatitis B knew they were infected as of 2024, even though a safe vaccine prevents hepatitis B, treatment can control it, and hepatitis C can be cured with medicines. WHO calls low coverage of testing and treatment the biggest gap to close.
The World Hepatitis Alliance, a network of patient groups, launched World Hepatitis Day in 2008, out of concern that hepatitis received far less attention and political priority than HIV, tuberculosis or malaria. In May 2010 the Sixty-third World Health Assembly adopted resolution WHA63.18 on viral hepatitis, which designated July 28 as World Hepatitis Day, while allowing member states to choose other days if they wish, and urged governments to promote it.
July 28 was chosen because it is the birthday of Baruch Blumberg, the Nobel Prize-winning scientist who discovered the hepatitis B virus and developed a diagnostic test and vaccine for it, according to WHO. Today WHO, the World Hepatitis Alliance, health ministries and community groups use the day for free testing drives, vaccination campaigns and calls for governments to fund national elimination plans.
Sources: World Health Organization: World Hepatitis Day, Sixty-third World Health Assembly, resolutions and decisions (WHA63.18, viral hepatitis), World Health Organization: Hepatitis B fact sheet, World Health Organization: Hepatitis C fact sheet, Centre for Research Excellence into Injecting Drug Use: World Hepatitis Day. How we check dates.
How to mark World Hepatitis Day
- Ask your doctor whether you should be tested for hepatitis B or C, especially if you have never been tested.
- Check your vaccination records and those of your children to make sure hepatitis B vaccination is up to date.
- Look for a free or low-cost testing event run by a local clinic or health department around July 28.
- Learn how hepatitis B and C spread, for example through unsterile needles or tattoo equipment, and share that information.
- Support a patient group or charity that helps people living with hepatitis find testing and treatment.
World Hepatitis Day dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Monday, July 28, 2025 |
| 2026 | Tuesday, July 28, 2026 |
| 2027 | Wednesday, July 28, 2027 |
| 2028 | Friday, July 28, 2028 |
| 2029 | Saturday, July 28, 2029 |
| 2030 | Sunday, July 28, 2030 |
| 2031 | Monday, July 28, 2031 |
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Frequently asked questions
When is World Hepatitis Day 2027?
World Hepatitis Day 2027 is on Wednesday, July 28, 2027. It falls on July 28 every year. In 2028, it is on Friday, July 28, 2028.
Why is World Hepatitis Day on July 28?
It is the birthday of Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus and developed a test and vaccine for it. He received a Nobel Prize for the discovery.
Who started World Hepatitis Day?
The World Hepatitis Alliance, a network of patient organizations, launched it in 2008. The World Health Assembly made it official with resolution WHA63.18 in 2010.
Can hepatitis be prevented or cured?
Vaccines prevent hepatitis A and B, and hepatitis B can be managed with treatment. Hepatitis C has no vaccine but can be cured with antiviral medicines, so testing is the first step.
Is World Hepatitis Day a public holiday?
No. World Hepatitis Day is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.