Hepatitis NSW supports world liver day with launch of new website highlighting liver health
Sydney, Hepatitis NSW, 19 April 2024; Hepatitis NSW has joined the worldwide movement to celebrate World Liver Day on Friday, 19 April 2024.
World Liver Day aims to raise awareness about the importance of liver health. The liver is one of the most important organs in your body and is also one of the largest. The liver is an essential organ that performs over 500 functions, in doing so it supports the stomach, the heart and the blood. Specifically, it cleans blood, breaks down food, stores energy and vitamins, sends energy and vitamins to the parts of the body where it is all needed, clots the blood, and stops infections. We literally can’t live without it.
Liver cancer is the seventh most common cause of cancer-related death in Australia and rates are increasing.
Hepatitis CEO Steven Drew said, “The condition is not well understood, with few symptoms many people are not diagnosed until it’s too late. What is known is that both hepatis B and hepatitis C,
if left untreated, can quietly damage the liver. As NSW’s leading hepatitis and liver health community organisation, we are committed to helping people look after their liver.
“The good news is that, if diagnosed early, liver disease is treatable, and liver cancer can be prevented. Taking care of one’s liver is crucial to maintaining overall health and preventing liver diseases like hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Public awareness and ready access to easy-to-understand information about liver health is key,” said Mr Drew.
To mark World Liver Day, Hepatitis NSW is launching our refreshed and redesigned website with a special event at NSW Parliament House. The event includes addresses by Hepatitis NSW lived experience speaker Rachel, and leading consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist Dr Joe Lawler. The website will be officially launched by Dr Kerry Chant, the NSW Chief Health Officer.
The revamped Hepatitis NSW website has an expanded liver health section, that covers topics including the causes of liver damage and disease, signs and symptoms, the effects of alcohol and diet on overall liver health, and on liver scarring (cirrhosis). The site also has liver resources available for viewing online, downloading and/or ordering. Importantly, the website also has a searchable service directory that can assist visitors to find appropriate local services across NSW.
Mr Drew said, “The redesigned website is the result of detailed analyses to help identify and define keywords, themes, issues, or blockers and collected feedback. As a result, it offers easier navigation and has a more effective and functional search capability. Most journeys will now take less steps and information will be found more quickly and easily. It has improved legibility based on best practice standards for usability and accessibility, including across a range of devices.”
“I encourage everyone to visit our new, fresh website [ hep.org.au ] and, in particular on World Liver Day, the Liver Health pages [ hep.org.au/liver-health ]” Said Mr Drew.
“You can also get more information and assistance via our website live chat or by calling the free Hepatitis NSW Infoline (1800 803 990).”
Hepatitis NSW is a not-for-profit charity started by the hepatitis community. Together we inform, support and educate.
[About Hepatitis B: What is Hep B? Hep A, hep B and hep C are the most common hepatitis viruses in Australia.
Hep B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. It’s the most common liver infection in the world. Hep B often has no symptoms, so you might have it for years and not know it. But, if you don’t manage your hep B, it can lead to serious liver health problems.
Liver damage and health problems from hep B can include:
Cirrhosis (scarring of liver tissue)
Fibrosis
Liver cancer
Liver failure
But, with proper monitoring and treatment (if needed) people with hep B can live healthy lives. It’s very important to get tested if you think you have been at risk of hep B, so that you can get the care you need. Hep B is passed on most commonly from mother to baby, or through blood-to-blood contact. hep.org.au]
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