Niagara Health is hosting a community event in St. Catharines for World Hepatitis Day on Friday.
The event is taking place at Montebello Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include education and resources for hepatitis awareness.
Hepatitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the liver, killing over one million people in the world every year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
WHO also says that over 350 million people in the world are living with viral hepatitis, despite there being a vaccine and effective treatment.
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Niagara Health aims to raise awareness about hepatitis through a community approach.
Attendees of the event will have access to private hepatitis testing, resources for addiction, mental health, liver health and training on how to use medications such as naloxone.
“By engaging our community partners, we create a network of care that is inclusive, accessible and responsive to the needs of the populations we serve,” says clinical services manager, Brenda Yeandle.
Niagara Health also hosted a similar event back in May for Canadian Viral Hepatitis Day.
