Saturday, July 28, is World Hepatitis Day, which seeks to raise awareness around the globe about viral hepatitis. Coordinated by the World Hepatitis Alliance since 2007, it was officially recognized by the World Health Organization in 2010. Worldwide, one in 12 people lives with viral hepatitis and one million die of the disease every year. In the United States, viral hepatitis is a leading cause of liver cancer and many Americans are unaware they have the disease. Since new medications against viral hepatitis have proven more effective and more tolerable, officials encourage widespread prevention and testing efforts.

For more information on World Hepatitis Day, click here.

To read the presidential proclamation from President Obama, click here.

For more information about viral hepatitis, click here.