Eliminating the threat of chronic hepatitis B in the Asian and Pacific Islander community: a call to action.
Chronic hepatitis B in the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) population is among our nation's greatest ethnic and racial health disparities. Despite comprising 4.3% of the population, API make up a disproportionate half of the 1.2-2 million Americans living with chronic hepatitis B. As many as two-thirds of API are not aware of their infection because they have not been tested. This lack of knowledge prevents them from undergoing life-saving liver cancer screening and potential treatment. Likewise, those not protected are unaware that they should be vaccinated. Instead, there is a pervasive lack of awareness among API and healthcare providers. New concerted public health actions are needed to eliminate this major health disparity.
Chao
Stephanie D
SD
The Asian Liver Center at Stanford University, Stanford School of Medicine, CA, USA. stephanie.chao@stanford.edu
Chang
Ellen T
ET
So
Samuel K
SK
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D044468:Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014611:Vaccination
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines