About 170,000 people in NSW have hepatitis B or C and more than 1000 deaths a year occur in Australia.

NSW Hepatitis Awareness Week was held from July 27 to August 2 and in Wollongong there was a special focus on multicultural communities.

Healthy Cities Illawarra (HCI), Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra (MCCI), Hepatitis NSW and Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District have joined forces to raise awareness.

HCI health promotion officer Nadia Sneyd-Miller said about 12 members of the Afghan and Iranian communities attended a "B Food Wise" workshop at MCCI's friendship garden in Wollongong on July 22.

"We had a dietitian from Healthy Cities Illawarra there talk about what vegetables are good for your liver," she said.

On July 29, the workshop participants shared what they had learnt about viral hepatitis with family, friends and the public and encouraged hepatitis sufferers to seek treatment. About 40 people attended.

About 500,000 Australians live with hepatitis B and C, which can cause serious liver disease if left untreated, including liver cancer, liver cirrhosis and liver failure.

"We should take courage from knowing that we have the tools to prevent, test and treat hepatitis B and C and make these rare conditions in our lifetime," Ms Sneyd-Miller said.

Migrant communities, particularly those from China and Vietnam, had high rates of hepatitis B and low vaccination rates.

People living with hepatitis may have very few symptoms or none at all.

Ms Sneyd-Miller said it was essential for people at risk of hepatitis B and C to get tested and speak to their doctor about regular liver check-ups and treatment.

Information: liverdangerzone.com.au