Rotary Joins Global Fight Against Hepatitis

Rotary Joins Global Fight Against Hepatitis: Clubs Encouraged to Take Action for World Hepatitis Day

Rotary International has taken a bold new step in the global fight against viral hepatitis, a disease that affects more than 325 million people worldwide and causes over 1.3 million deaths annually – often without symptoms or diagnosis.
 
At the 2025 Rotary International Convention in Calgary, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), announced a new partnership between WHO and Rotary to accelerate efforts toward hepatitis eradication. This global collaboration aligns directly with Rotary’s Area of Focus: Disease Prevention and Treatment, offering Rotary and Rotaract clubs new opportunities to create lasting health impact in their communities and abroad.

World Hepatitis Day is July 28 – Rotary Can Make a Difference

World Hepatitis Day, observed annually on July 28, is one of WHO global health awareness days. It aims to increase knowledge, promote testing and vaccination, and reduce the stigma around hepatitis.
District Governor Liz Nevitt is encouraging all clubs in Rotary District 6270 to participate in this global awareness effort. This new Rotary-WHO partnership gives us a platform to lead change at both the local and international levels. Whether your club hosts an event, shares awareness messages, or connects with global partners, every action helps save lives.

New Club Toolkit Now Available

To support clubs, the district has released a World Hepatitis Day Message Toolkit with everything needed to promote this initiative, including:
  • Three short messages for club meetings
  • PowerPoint slide suggestions
  • Social media post templates
  • Links to two Rotary-affiliated global partners:
  • Rotary Action Group for Hepatitis Eradication (RAG4HEP) - https://ragforhepatitiseradication.com
  • Rotarians for Family Health & AIDS Prevention (RFHA) - https://www.rfha.org/about-us
This toolkit helps clubs share facts, raise awareness, and take action with trusted, Rotary-aligned resources.

Get Involved: Be People of Action

Source: Rotarians for Family Health & AIDS Prevention Benin Rotary Family Health Days
There are many ways your club can participate:
  • Make a World Hepatitis Day announcement at your July meeting
  • Share a post or fact on social media using #WorldHepatitisDay and #PeopleOfAction
  • Host a local health talk, screening, or vaccination event in partnership with public health agencies
  • Join Rotary Action Group for Hepatitis Eradication (RAG4HEP), https://ragforhepatitiseradication.com, to connect with global hepatitis projects and grant opportunities
As Rotary continues to expand its global health impact beyond polio, this initiative marks a significant opportunity to demonstrate Rotary’s values and vision:
Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
Let’s unite for health. Let’s raise awareness. Let’s act for hepatitis eradication.
 
Image Source: Rotarians for Family Health & AIDS Prevention Benin Rotary Family Health Days
Story submitted by DG Liz Nevitt and PDG Don Griffing after hearing the news at the RI Convention in Calgary.