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Queensland Monuments Light Up Green as Hepatitis Gaps Revealed - World Hepatitis Day 28 July

Hepatitis Queensland

Test, Treat, Defeat Hepatitis this World Hepatitis Day

On World Hepatitis Day, Hepatitis Queensland is calling on communities across the state to take action now to test, treat and defeat hepatitis B and C, as new data highlights changing patterns of risk and significant gaps in health care.

 

Almost 300,000 Australians, including over 48,000 Queenslanders, are living with hepatitis B or C viruses. Yet thousands remain undiagnosed, untreated, or disconnected from health care, putting them at risk of serious liver damage and liver cancer.

 

“There are simple blood tests and effective treatments for hepatitis B and C, yet too many people don’t realise they’re at risk,” said Dr Anna Hawkes, CEO of Hepatitis Queensland.

 

“Hepatitis B and C are primarily spread through contact with infected blood, while hepatitis B can also be spread through unprotected sexual activity.”

 

Hepatitis C can be cured with tablets daily for just 8 to 12 weeks. Despite this, only 11 per cent of Queenslanders living with hepatitis C received treatment in 2023.

 

David Clune, who lived with hepatitis C for decades before being cured in 2018, said getting treated changed his life.

 

“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. Hepatitis was destroying my body. Your liver affects your mind, your body, everything. Life has been the best it has been for years.”

 

Hepatitis B cannot yet be cured, but it can be effectively managed with regular monitoring and treatment. Only 10 per cent of those living with hepatitis B in Queensland received treatment in 2023, and fewer than one in four were engaged in ongoing care.

 

Without diagnosis and care, hepatitis B and C can progress to liver cancer. These viruses are responsible for 90 per cent of liver cancer deaths in Australia, with liver cancer now the fastest-growing cause of cancer deaths nationally.

 

Hepatitis symptoms like tiredness, brain fog, and joint aches are often mistaken for signs of ageing or stress; many people may not realise anything is wrong until the disease is advanced.

 

“Testing is the only way to know for certain if you have the hepatitis virus,” said Dr Anna Hawkes.

 

“It’s time to normalise testing and start the conversation. Routine blood tests don’t usually check for hepatitis; you have to ask for it. That’s why awareness is so important.”

If you think you could be at risk of hepatitis B or C, speak with your GP or call Hepatitis Queensland on 1800 437 222.

 

ENDS

 

The following buildings in Queensland cities and towns will be lit up on 28^th July with green lights to draw attention to the need to take action to defeat hepatitis:

 

Brisbane Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Parliament House, Brisbane Kurilpa Bridge, Brisbane Story Bridge, Kangaroo Point Reddacliff Place sculptures, Brisbane Victoria Bridge, Brisbane Breakfast Creek Bridge, Newstead Wickham Terrace car park architectural wall Neville Bonner Bridge, Brisbane Roma Street Parklands waterfall   Cairns Court House Gallery   City of Moreton Caboolture Administration Building Humpybong Creek Fountain, Redcliffe Redcliffe Administration Building, Redcliffe Scarborough seat, Scarborough Beach Park   Gold Coast Broadbeach sign Surfers Paradise sign Isle of Capri Bridge Victoria Park, Broadbeach Surfers Paradise Foreshore   Ipswich 1 Nicholas Street Facade, Ipswich

Logan Wineglass Water Tower   Longreach Water Tower, Longreach Civic Centre (25-28 July)   Mackay Sir Abbott Administration Building   Rockhampton Heritage Façade Lights, Rockhampton   Southern Downs Warwick Town Hall, Warwick Southern Downs Regional Council Administration Building, Warwick Weeroona Park London Plane Trees, Stanthorpe Farley Street Piazza, Stanthorpe   Toowoomba Victoria Street Bridge, Toowoomba   Townsville Flinders Square, Townsville George Roberts Bridge, Townsville Little Fletcher Bridge, Townsville Old Magistrates Court, Townsville Townsville sign, South Townsville Victoria Bridge, Townsville Wharton Reef Lighthouse, Townsville

 

Download the World Hepatitis Day Factsheet for more information and sources.

To arrange interviews with Dr Anna Hawkes or lived experience person David Clune contact: Jessie Badger Senior Communications Officer (Mon-Thu) Phone. 07 3846 0020 or Linda Apps 0433 999 017.

Key Facts:

Hepatitis can lead to liver cancer

Landmarks in Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Longreach, Logan, Ipswich, Townsville, Toowoomba, City of Moreton,  Southern Downs, Rockhampton, Mackay will light up green on World Hepatitis Day to highlight the need to get tested for hepatitis.

Contact details:

Linda Apps 0433 999 017

Jessie Badger Senior Communications Officer (Mon-Thu) Phone. 07 3846 0020