Every year, World Hepatitis Day is an opportunity to bring attention to viral hepatitis in Canada and around the world. It is estimated that hepatitis affects over half a million Canadians and one in 12 people worldwide.
Viral hepatitis can lead to chronic liver disease and left untreated, can have serious health consequences, including liver failure or cancer. Nearly half the people living with chronic hepatitis C in Canada may not know they are infected. What many people don’t know is that hepatitis is preventable and treatment is available.
Hepatitis infection can only be diagnosed through a blood test so it is important that Canadians speak to their health care provider to learn more about hepatitis risk factors, testing and care. Stigma continues to be a major roadblock to reducing the number of new or undiagnosed infections. Becoming more informed about the risks and how to prevent hepatitis are important steps in decreasing the stigma that is too often associated with hepatitis B and C.
The Government of Canada is a committed partner in this important health challenge. For example, the Public Health Agency of Canada conducts hepatitis surveillance in partnership with provinces and territories to inform and evaluate viral hepatitis prevention and control activities. The Agency also works to develop resources for health care professionals and the general public, and funds research for community-based activities to help prevent the spread of hepatitis C, reduce stigma and improve the lives of those affected by hepatitis C.
The Government is proud to support the efforts of the Global Hepatitis C Network in Canada and of key hepatitis stakeholders across Canada to help raise awareness and facilitate collaboration in Canada and globally. We continue to work with stakeholders, such as the Ministerial Advisory Council for the Federal Initiative (MAC-FI) and the National Aboriginal Council on HIV/AIDS (NACHA) to increase the awareness of testing and treatment options for hepatitis C.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Agency have also recently invested $4.5M in the National Hepatitis C Collaborative Network, which brings together researchers, clinicians and patients to carry out research to improve the prevention and care of hepatitis C. The network will be led by researchers at Centre hospitalier de l'université de Montréal (CHUM) in Montreal.
This World Hepatitis Day, please join me in recognizing the hard work and dedication of public health and healthcare professionals, researchers and communities to raise awareness and reduce hepatitis-related stigma. For more information on viral hepatitis and how to become involved, I encourage you to visit our page on World Hepatitis Day.
Rona Ambrose
Minister of Health
Government of Canada
