Today, in Canada and around the globe, people are raising awareness about viral hepatitis.
The Government of Canada is committed to the global goal of reducing the health impact of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) by 2030. This includes viral hepatitis. We recently released our Action Plan - Accelerating our Response: Government of Canada Five-Year Action Plan on STBBI - which lays out our priorities and the principles that will guide us as we work with partners in Canada and globally to prevent these illnesses and to provide care and support to those who are affected.
Reducing stigma and discrimination, engaging people with lived experience, and relying on evidence to guide us in implementing the Plan are central to our approach.
Being well-informed about viral hepatitis is the first step. Hepatitis A and B are types of viral hepatitis that are preventable by vaccination. Speak with your health care provider to make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date. Hepatitis C, one of the leading causes of infectious disease deaths in Canada, can be cured with highly effective treatment. Have a conversation with your health care provider on prevention, testing and treatment.
Reliable information is a powerful resource when it comes to viral hepatitis.
This World Hepatitis Day is an important occasion to get informed. Join the global awareness raising effort and let's beat hepatitis.
The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, P.C., M.P.
