B Free CEED: A collaborative approach to reducing hepatitis B health disparities among Asian Pacific Islanders

Hepatitis B (HBV) is recognized as a major health disparity in Asian Pacific Islanders (API), affecting an estimated 10-15% of APIs nationally compared to 0.3% of the general U.S. population. HBV primary affects the most vulnerable group of recent immigrants from East and Southeast Asia where infection is endemic and vaccinations have not been widely available. Efforts to address health disparities require an interdisciplinary and multi-level approach. Incumbent on the success is the need to translate disparities research findings into action and to recognize that existing strategies of dissemination are inadequate to reaching the communities at risk. In 2007, the Center for the Study of Asian American Health, NYU School of Medicine and its partner coalition (i.e., community-based organizations, health clinics, hospitals, and council members), was one of eighteen sites designated as a CDC Center of Excellence for the Elimination of Disparities (CEED). The mission of B Free CEED is to serve as a national resource and expert center on the elimination of HBV disparities among APIs through the development and dissemination of multi-level, evidence-based best practices and activities. A multi-theoretical framework (i.e., community-based participatory approach (CBPA), the socio-ecological model, and social marketing and health communication models), has been adopted. For example, CBPA is well positioned to address multi-level factors that contribute to health disparities through its commitment to achieve sustainable social and community action. A discussion of the various models and the rationale for applying multiple frameworks to achieve success in the elimination of HBV-related disparities will be presented.