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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Chiehwen Ed Hsu, PhD, MPH, Department of Public and Community Health, University of Maryland, College Park, 2387 HHP Building, College Park, MD 20742, 301-405-8161, edhsu@umd.edu, Louis Chih-Hung Liu, MA, School of Public Policy, University of Maryland College Park, 2371 HHP Building, College Park, MD 20742, Julie Bawa, MPH, Asian American Health Initiative, 1335 Piccard Dr., Rockville, MD 20850, Ulder Tillman, MD, MPH, Department of Health and Human Services, Montgomery County, Maryland, 401 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, MD 20850, and Mark K. Li, MD, Asian American Physician Coalition, Primary care physician, 1721 University Boulevard West, Wheaton, MD 20902.

National statistics suggest that several Asian American groups are at a higher risk of dying of liver diseases, and Hepatitis B infection directly contributes to liver cancer deaths. However, the prevalence in Asian American community and how many Asian community members are protected against this disease remain unclear. Supported by Montgomery County, MD, this project assessed the prevalence of Hepatitis B among major Asian communities, and provided preventive services to at-risk groups. Three hundred and nine members from the Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese communities of the County including 137 males (44.3%) and 172 females (55.7%) enrolled in the Hepatitis B prevention education, completed pre/post tests, and received screenings between Oct 2005 and Feb 2006, As of Feb 2006 the results of two groups are available: Vietnamese community has higher (7.14%) prevalence rate vs Chinese community (4.72%). Among all age groups that received screening, age group 36-45 has the highest (10.71%) percentage of Hepatitis B carriers, followed by 46-55 group (8%) and 26-35 group (5.77%). As for the unprotected, four age groups have the highest unprotected rate, namely age 65+ (57.14%), 46-55 (56%), 26-35 (54%), and 36-45 (50%). The participating Asian community subjects in the County appeared healthier, as the results are characterized by a moderately low prevalence (5.4%), yet the high unprotected rate (49%) warrants further attention. This project demonstrates a community-based collaborative efforts involving County's Asian American Health Initiative, community physicians, community/faith based organizations, and the University of Maryland in enhancing Asian community health.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn a community-based research model that involves the collaborative efforts of health department, primary care physicians, community/faith based organization, and academia.
• Understand the problems of lacking Asian American health data and a potential approach to addressing it.
• Familiarize with the prevalence of Hepatitis B in Asian Americans and potential solutions in reducing it.

Keywords: Hepatitis B, Health Promotion

Related Web page: www.aahiinfo.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: none.

Not Answered

Handout (.ppt format, 416.0 kb)