224523 Hepatitis B Program 2010: A Roadmap to Health Parity in the API Community

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 : 12:30 PM - 12:45 PM

Julie Bawa, MPH , Asian American Health Initiative, Rockville, MD
Nouf Bazaz , Asian American Health Initiative, Rockville, MD
Chun Man (Perry) Chan , Asian American Health Initiative, Rockville, MD
The Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI) was established in 2004 to reduce health disparities between Asian Americans and non-Asian counterparts in Montgomery County, Maryland. Hepatitis B disproportionately affects the API population. However, the healthcare system does not adequately meet this growing need. In order to bridge this gap, AAHI develops its Hepatitis B program in a strategic manner to achieve health parity. The objective is to analyze a Hepatitis B project that not only provided culturally and linguistically competent services to the community but also worked to strengthen the infrastructure of the local government to continue to meet such challenges in the future. An analysis of Montgomery County Hepatitis B services was conducted and measured against national best practice models. A community Hepatitis B project was then planned in accordance with AAHI's top priorities- health promotion, health access, partnership/collaboration and data collection. Following Hepatitis B screening, participants were referred to a network of treatment and vaccination options depending on their needs and health insurance status. An inclusive project plan was outlined with the participation of numerous physicians, clinic administrators, and community leaders. Because of the comprehensive and community-oriented services, high customer satisfaction was received. A protocol in Montgomery County was established to conduct Hepatitis B related services. Effective strategic planning on a local level is imperative to achieving social justice for API communities in the health sector.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Program planning
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session, participants will learn how to develop a sustainable health program that is linguistically and culturally competent. By the end of the session, participants will be able to identify mechanisms to effectively bring about change in their communities through local government and/or community based organizations.

Keywords: Asian Americans, Hepatitis B

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the program manager with the Asian American Health Initiative and I have been involved with the Hepatitis B project.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.