Today, on World Hepatitis Day, we’re excited to join communities around the world in recognizing the progress made toward eliminating viral hepatitis and reaffirming the urgent need to continue this work.
Hepatitis remains one of the world’s most significant public health challenges, impacting millions of people globally. We are at a pivotal moment where scientific advances, increased awareness, and stronger policy commitments have created an opportunity to change the future of hepatitis care.
Countries around the world have shown that hepatitis elimination is possible. From Egypt’s nationally coordinated hepatitis C elimination campaign, to Georgia’s pioneering efforts to build a comprehensive hepatitis C elimination model, to Australia’s commitment to expanding access to curative therapies, progress can be achieved through prevention, testing, treatment, and policy change.
In the U.S., we are encouraged by the introduction of H.Res.1458 by Representative Nydia Velázquez, recognizing July 28, 2026 as World Hepatitis Day. This recognition highlights the need for continued action to remove barriers to care. Every person should have access to the prevention, testing, and treatment needed to protect their health and move us closer to Hepatitis elimination.
On this day, if there is one action we can take together, it is to continue raising our voices for policies that bring us closer to hepatitis elimination. In the United States, the bipartisan Cure Hepatitis C Act represents a critical opportunity to expand access to curative therapies and ensure more people can benefit from existing treatments. In the Senate, S.1941 is sponsored by Senators Bill Cassidy and Chris Van Hollen. Parallel efforts are underway in the House, where Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks introduced the companion bill, H.R.9682, co-sponsored by Representatives Henry Johnson, Diana DeGette, and Don Bacon.
GLI remains committed to monitoring and advocating for this important legislation while continuing to support global efforts that advance prevention, testing, treatment, and elimination of viral hepatitis worldwide.
