Thursday, 24 May 2012
Did you know that one in twelve people worldwide is living with either chronic hepatitis B or C? The United Nations today marks World Hepatitis Day for the first time to bring attention to the disease
The World Hepatitis Alliance, a non-governmental organization (NGO), has been marking 28 July as a day of awareness of the disease since 2008. Following the World Health Assembly in May 2010, it was agreed that World Hepatitis Day would be recognised annually on 28 July.
The first official WHO World Hepatitis Day is marked to increase the awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis and the diseases that it causes.
It provides an opportunity to focus on specific actions such as: strengthening prevention, screening and control of viral hepatitis and its related diseases; increasing hepatitis B vaccine coverage and integration into national immunization programmes; and coordinating a global response to hepatitis.
The theme of the campaign is – “Know it, confront it. Hepatitis affects everyone, everywhere”.
Hepatitis is one of the most prevalent and serious infectious conditions in the world, but many people - including health policy makers - remain unaware of its staggering toll on global health.
World Health Organization - WHO
WHO - World Hepatitis Day 2011 webpage
World Hepatitis Alliance
The World Hepatitis Alliance is a global voice for the 500 million people worldwide living with chronic viral hepatitis B or C
"Strangely, it was exactly what bored me that at the same time excited me."
May
8-9 May
Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War
12-13 May
World Migratory Bird Day [UNEP]
15 May
International Day of Families
17 May
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day [ITU]
21 May
World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
22 May
International Day for Biological Diversity
29 May
International Day of UN Peacekeepers
31 May
World No-Tobacco Day [WHO]
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(Complete list of UN Observances)
When the Security Council approaches the final stage of negotiation of a draft resolution the text is printed in blue... What's in Blue helps interested UN readers keep up with what might soon be "in blue".
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