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28 July: what is celebrated today
There are dates that do not invite noisy celebration, but rather a conscious pause. 28 July is one of them. A day to listen to the body, to think about what does not always hurt immediately but leaves deep marks. Health, when it becomes invisible, needs words to name it and gestures to protect it.
World Hepatitis Day
Every 28 July, the World Health Organization promotes World Hepatitis Day, an observance held since 2008 to remember that millions of people live with a silent disease. Viral hepatitis is inflammation of the liver which, without diagnosis or treatment, can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer. It often progresses without clear symptoms, making it a discreet but persistent threat.
This day places knowledge at the centre as the first form of defence. Hepatitis B and C are preventable and treatable and, in the case of C, even curable. However, stigma, misinformation and lack of access to diagnostic testing continue to delay early detection. The WHO insists on integrating prevention, diagnosis and treatment services into health systems in order to move towards the goal of eliminating hepatitis as a public-health problem before 2030.
Talking about hepatitis is also talking about collective responsibility. Vaccination, the use of safe medical equipment, protection in sexual relations and regular medical check-ups are everyday actions that save lives. 28 July is not only a date on the calendar: it is an invitation to care for the liver as one cares for life itself, with information, prevention and timely attention.