3 For Life: a model pilot program to prevent hepatitis B virus infection and liver cancer in Asian and Pacific Islander Americans.
OBJECTIVE
3 For Life aims to increase hepatitis B virus (HBV) awareness and reduce the high prevalence of undiagnosed chronic HBV infection and susceptibility among Asian/Pacific Islander (API) adults.


METHODS
This pilot program offered low-cost HBV vaccination with free HBV testing targeted primarily at foreign-born Chinese adults.


METHODS
Semimonthly screening and vaccination clinics were held in San Francisco, California, for 1 year.


METHODS
A total of 1206 adults accessed the program.


METHODS
Participants paid a discounted fee for a full vaccine series against HBV, hepatitis A virus (HAV), or both. Participants also provided blood samples for HBV serologic testing. Test results, recommendations, and appointment reminders were provided by mail.


METHODS
We compared the probability of completing a recommended vaccine series by HBV serologic status and sociodemographic characteristics.


METHODS
Proportions were compared using multivariate logistic regression models.


RESULTS
Nine percent of adults were chronically infected with HBV, and 53% were unprotected. In the latter group, 85% completed the HBV vaccine series. The probability of completing a recommended hepatitis vaccine series was similar across most sociodemographic groups, with slightly higher completion rates among middle-aged and Chinese participants.


CONCLUSIONS
Lessons learned from this pilot program have been used toward successful replication in other cities, demonstrating that 3 For Life is an accessible, affordable, reproducible, and sustainable model to increase HBV awareness, testing, and prevention among API adults.
Chang
Ellen T
ET
Asian Liver Center, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA. ellen@nccc.org
Sue
Eric
E
Zola
Janet
J
So
Samuel K
SK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001213:Asian / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D018588:Fee-for-Service Plans; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D044468:Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011635:Public Health Administration; D012495:San Francisco; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines