Our Story
Not only have we have changed the course of viral hepatitis history, we have put it on the map. We can make bold statements like this because we have the results to back it up. Since our inception in 2007, we’ve spearheaded global awareness days, launched a global movement, held two global summits and convened 290+ patient organisations in 94 countries.
In 2016, our tenacious effort and unwavering commitment resulted in viral hepatitis becoming a global priority when 194 governments pledged to its elimination by 2030.
Although we have come a long way and progress has begun, a global strategy and targets alone are not enough to turn an aspiration into reality. Today, only 9 out of the 194 countries that committed to eliminating this epidemic are on track to reach the 2030 goal.
They cannot do it alone. Without putting people living with the disease at the centre of the response, all efforts will fail. As such, we will harness the power of people living with viral hepatitis to achieve its elimination.
To find out more about our activities for 2018-2020, check out our Strategic Plan.
Milestones on our road to elimination
- 2007
- World Hepatitis Alliance established
- 2008
- First community-led World Hepatitis Day celebrated
- 2009
- Development of the first World Health Assembly resolution on viral hepatitis
- 2010
- Adoption of first resolution on viral hepatitis (WHA63.18)
- Global Hepatitis Programme established at WHO headquarters
- 2012
- WHA seconds a member of staff to the WHO Global Hepatitis Programme
- WHA granted Official Relations status with the World Health Organization
- 2013
- WHA granted Special Consultative Status by the United Nations Economic and Social Council
- 2014
- WHA joins WHO Director-General’s STAC-HEP on hepatitis
- Adoption of the second resolution on viral hepatitis (WHA67.6)
- 2015
- Inaugural World Hepatitis Summit is held in Glasgow, Scotland
- Viral hepatitis included in the Sustainable Development Goals
- 2016
- WHO regional action plans adopted
- NOhep launched
- Global elimination strategy adopted
- 2017
- Second World Hepatitis Summit is held in São Paulo, Brazil
- 10th World Hepatitis Day celebrated