World Hepatitis Day

The World Health Organization has designated July 28th as World Hepatitis Day. However, we don’t have to look globally to find a crisis related to hepatitis B infection.

Data from the Arizona Department of Health Services indicate that Asian Americans have constituted 40% of all reported cases of chronic hepatitis B in Maricopa County over the past five years. Considering that Asian Americans constitute only 3% of the population, this is alarming.

Nationally, it is estimated that 1 in 12 Asian Americans is permanently infected with hepatitis B, a virus that attacks the liver. For all other Americans, the rate of chronic hepatitis B infection is just 1 in 1,000. Without medical monitoring and treatment, 25% of individuals with chronic hepatitis B infection will suffer and possibly die due to severe liver cirrhosis and/or liver cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 65% of all individuals infected with hepatitis B are unaware of their infection.

These data suggest that nationally there are more Asian Americans undiagnosed with hepatitis B than all Americans undiagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Compared to HIV/AIDS, very little attention is paid to the problem of chronic hepatitis B – particularly among Asian Americans. This is a shame given that a simple blood test can detect the infection and a vaccine exists to prevent infection. We need to continue to spread the word that all Asian Americans get tested and vaccinated for hepatitis B.

In recognition of World Hepatitis Day, we are hosting a free hepatitis B testing and education event at the Vietnamese Community Center, 2051 W. Warner Road, Suite 22, Chandler, from 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday, July 30th. Information will also be provided to help individuals without health insurance coverage to enroll in publicly funded health insurance programs or otherwise find affordable medical care. Further information is available from the Asian Pacific Community in Action at (602) 265-4598 or www.apcaaz.org.