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For many people living with viral hepatitis, the diagnosis is only the beginning. What follows can be moments of hesitation, the fear of being judged, and the unspoken weight of stigma that can shape interactions — even within the healthcare system.
“One of the hardest parts about living with hepatitis isn’t even the diagnosis, It’s the shame of stigma,” says Steffy, a hepatitis C (HCV) Ambassador and Outreach Coordinator at the non‑profit organization Hope on TTaPP.
Stigma isn’t always visible. It can surface subtly — in language, in assumptions, in the way care is delivered — but its impact can be profound and long-lasting.
“We don't know how our behavior, our language, is making patients feel,” says Terry Box, a hepatologist who is also the Founder of Hepatology Educators. “Stigmatizing these individuals can lead to worse outcomes.”
The consequences are measurable. According to the World Hepatitis Alliance’s survey on stigma, one in four people living with HCV, and one in seven people living with hepatitis B (HBV) avoid healthcare services due to fear of discrimination and stigma. These missed opportunities for care can have lasting effects on long-term health.
Both Steffy and Terry are Ambassadors of BehinD the SilenCe, a global awareness film and campaign developed by Gilead in collaboration with the World Hepatitis Alliance to help portray the reality of living with viral hepatitis.
Through storytelling, data, creative expression and dialogue, BehinD the SilenCe seeks to shine a light on how stigma affects people living with viral hepatitis and to encourage more open, empathetic conversations between patients, healthcare providers and communities.
The film reveals what many people living with viral hepatitis experience but rarely say out loud. It also reflects how viral hepatitis care must evolve.
“Create a relationship that lets people know I’m here to listen and we’re going to be in this together,” says Terry.