Event Recap: World Hepatitis Day: What Business Leaders Should Know and Do About Hepatitis
Date: July 27, 2012
Speakers: Professor Charles Gore, Dr. Junko Tanaka
Professor Charles Gore and Dr. Junko Tanaka spent much of the lead up to World Hepatitis Day (July 28) raising awareness and educating groups around Tokyo about hepatitis. The ACCJ was fortunate to host a luncheon with them and hear more about their message in regards to the disease.
Charles Gore, President of the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) and Chief Executive of The Hepatitis C Trust, spoke about the scary realities of hepatitis around the world. With over 500 million people infected worldwide, Gore believes finding a cure for hepatitis is of global importance. As head of the WHA, Gore aims to have a comprehensive strategy to fight hepatitis in every country around the world. The three pillars that he focuses on are: general awareness, national policies and forming a global policy. During the luncheon, he noted how strong leadership in Japan would be key in advancing the fight against the disease.
Following Gore's presentation, Dr. Junko Tanaka spoke authoritatively about the current situation regarding hepatitis in Japan, noting that there are estimates of over 1.7 million people in Japan with hepatitis that do not know they are infected. Dr. Tanaka believes a huge step in preventing the spread of the disease is through increased screening and testing.
The overall message of the presentation was very similar to the slogan of the hepatitis awareness campaign, “It’s closer than you think.”
