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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Ruchel Ramos, MPA¹, Henry Pollack¹, Thomas Tsang, MD, MPH², Hillel Tobias¹, Chau Trinh-Shevrin, DrPH³, Nadia Islam, MA³, and Mariano Rey, MD⁴. (1) Asian American Hepatitis B Project, Center for the Study of Asian American Health, 550 First Avenue, MSB-153, New York City, NY 10016-6481, 212-263-3026, ruchel.ramos@med.nyu.edu, (2) Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, 268 Canal Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10013, (3) NYU Center for Study of Asian American Health, 550 First Avenue, MSB-153, New York, NY 10016, (4) Dean's Office, NYU School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, SLH, New York, NY 10016

Chronic hepatitis B (HBV), which can lead to liver-related diseases and liver cancer, is disproportionately higher in the Asian American community. Asian Americans have an eight- to ten-fold risk of developing chronic hepatitis B comparing to the general population. As with other infectious diseases, particularly in underserved and immigrant populations, there is often stigma and healthcare barriers associated with timely screening and adherence to treatment protocols. Lack of culturally- and linguistically- appropriate health education materials targeting immigrant populations often lead to poor knowledge or understanding about their risk for HBV. Using a community-based approach, the Asian American Hepatitis B Coalition mobilized community members in the Asian American community, healthcare providers, elected officials, professional and volunteer associations, media, and community-based organizations. These efforts resulted in a multi-million dollar award to provide screening, vaccination, education, and treatment for HBV, known as the Asian American Hepatitis B Program. In its first year, the program developed a large media and outreach campaign, screened more than 1800 individuals for HBV, vaccinated about 450 persons at risk for infection, and medically evaluated more than 450 persons identified as having HBV. These successful efforts demonstrate that with committed and broad-based support among partnering organizations, media networks, supportive government, and the community, it is possible to overcome cross-institutional obstacles and work collaboratively to address an unrecognized epidemic and provide services to those most in need. This presentation highlights the challenges, “lessons learned,” and experiences of the Coalition to develop a comprehensive community-based health program for a minority community.

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