The Asian communities in Philadelphia have a 3-fold greater tuberculosis case rate than the community at large (45.3 versus 12.5 cases per 100,000 population in 1998). Tuberculosis case rates vary markedly by ethnic group and geographic location. The case rate among Chinese is nearly 2 times higher than the city's rate, while the rates among Asian Indians and Vietnamese are 5 and 10 times higher, respectively. A spatial analysis by GIS shows an annual clustering of tuberculosis cases among Asians in North and South Philadelphia. A GIS analysis of hepatitis B virus infections by Asian surname reveals clustering in the same two regions affected by tuberculosis. Among those in the Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program, 37% of pregnant women who tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen in 1998 were Asian. A tuberculosis and hepatitis B prevention project was initiated in collaboration with community-based organizations (CBOs) and medical student organizations to reduce the health disparities between Asians and other racial groups. Provider education, train-the-trainer sessions for CBOs, and enhanced primary care services will be implemented to promote the screening of tuberculosis and hepatitis B and the adoption of tuberculosis preventive therapy and hepatitis B vaccination.
Learning Objectives: 1. Participants will be able to define the high rates of TB and Hep B among Asians in Philadelphia. 2. Participants will be able to describe a community-based initiative to prevent TB and Hep B
Keywords: Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Philadelphia Department of Public Health
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.