World Hepatitis Day, which will be observed Saturday, was recognized by WHO in 2010, according to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Approximately 500 million people worldwide are living with chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C, and most are unaware of their infection. Hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer and cirrhosis around the world.
WHO has established a global hepatitis program for the prevention and control of viral hepatitis. The program includes four components: awareness and advocacy; data for decision making; prevention of transmission; and access to screening, care and treatment.