World Hepatits Day 2010: Who, What, Where, When and How? (#worldhepday)

From the World Hepatitis Alliance website:

Who organises World Hepatitis Day?

World Hepatitis Day is coordinated by the World Hepatitis Alliance, a non-governmental organisation that represents over 280 hepatitis B and hepatitis C patient groups from around the world.

Why is it important?

Shockingly one in 12 people worldwide is living with either chronic hepatitis B or C. While this is far higher than the prevalence of HIV or any cancer, awareness is inexplicably low and the majority of those infected are unaware.

The World Hepatitis Alliance hopes that World Hepatitis Day will prompt people to think about the huge scale of viral hepatitis infection globally, about whether they may be at risk (and if so, to get tested) and also about how to avoid becoming infected. The long-term objective of the campaign is to prevent new infections and to deliver real improvements in health outcomes for people living with hepatitis B and C.

What is the symbol for World Hepatitis Day?

The World Hepatitis Day logo is a symbol that represents the awareness raising efforts of the global hepatitis community. The logo includes a globe that itself consists of multiple translations of the World Hepatitis Alliance’s awareness-raising campaign programme ‘Am I Number 12?’.

Where does World Hepatitis Day take place?

World Hepatitis Day is supported by 280 patient groups from more than 60 countries across the globe. Together with governments, non-governmental organisations and associations, healthcare professionals, companies and thousands of individuals and patient groups coordinate World Hepatitis Day activities in the following countries: Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, United States of America, Venezuela and Vietnam.

When is World Hepatitis Day?

World Hepatitis Day takes place annually on 19 May. The event was launched in 2008 and in 2010 the World Hepatitis Alliance will be coordinating the third annual World Hepatitis Day.

How you can get involved in World Hepatitis Day?

World Hepatitis Day is a campaign coordinated by patients, for patients and if you would like to know more about the campaign and how to get involved or have any questions please contact the World Hepatitis Alliance.