In late May, during National Hepatitis Awareness Month, local coalitions from all over the country came together for the second Hep B United Summit. Hep B United is a national campaign to raise awareness about hepatitis B and liver cancer; it is composed of 20 state and local coalitions
working together to combat this “silent epidemic.” Participants at the
summit represented community-based organizations, health care providers,
local and state health departments, academic institutions, public
health researchers, policymakers, federal partners, and individuals
living with hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B in the U.S.
Hepatitis B is spread in several distinct ways: from mother to infant
at the time of birth, through exposure to infected blood in household
or health care settings, through sexual contact, and through injection
drug use. Vaccinating people who do not have hepatitis B can prevent
loved ones from getting infected. If left untreated, up to 25 percent of
people with chronic hepatitis B will develop serious liver problems and
even liver cancer. Sadly, hepatitis B-related liver cancer is a leading
cause of death among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Hepatitis B affects around 2 million Americans, half of whom are
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Two out of three of these
individuals are not even aware that they are infected.
- See more at: http://blog.aids.gov/2014/06/uniting-to-combat-hepatitis-b.html#sthash.OVldEi45.dpufLabels: Uniting to Combat Hepatitis B