AAPCHO Releases New Hepatitis B Product Series

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http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/5/prweb8353234.htm

AAPCHO Releases New Hepatitis B Product Series

The Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) just

released a hepatitis B product series to help raise awareness about hepatitis B

and reduce its impact on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific

Islander (AA & NHOPI) communities. The three-part series, entitled B Activated

Resource Guide: Increasing Hepatitis B Awareness, Prevention, and Management in

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Communities, was designed

to give individuals and organizations the skills and knowledge necessary to

develop programs and conduct hepatitis B-related policy and media activities.

Oakland, CA (PRWEB) May 02, 2011

The Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) just

released a hepatitis B product series to help raise awareness about hepatitis B

and reduce its impact on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific

Islander (AA & NHOPI) communities.

The three-part series, entitled B Activated Resource Guide: Increasing Hepatitis

B Awareness, Prevention, and Management in Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and

Pacific Islander Communities, was designed to give individuals and organizations

the skills and knowledge necessary to develop programs and conduct hepatitis

B-related policy and media activities.

The product consists of a compendium highlighting a half-dozen successful

hepatitis B programs for AA & NHOPIs; a needs assessment of current hepatitis B

activities and programs conducted at community health centers, and medical

providers’ perceptions of hepatitis B and AA & NHOPIs; and an advocacy toolkit of

information and resources to help individuals outreach to policymakers and the

media.

“Hepatitis B unfortunately is still a health disparity in our community, despite

the availability of a safe and effective vaccine,” said Caballero,

executive director at AAPCHO. “In order to make inroads, we need to continue

educating policymakers, the media and federal and local agencies, and developing

culturally and linguistically appropriate programs to eradicate this disease. It

is our hope that this series gives individuals the tools they need to do so.”

The series comes as federal agencies announce their plans to address this

disease. AAPCHO issued key recommendations that helped place hepatitis B as a

priority on the Department of Health & Human Services’ plan to address AA & NHOPI

health.

Hepatitis B continues to disproportionately impact AA & NHOPI populations.

Approximately 50% of people with chronic hepatitis B in the U.S. are AA & NHOPI,

and one in ten AA & NHOPIs suffer from chronic hepatitis B. An estimated 65% of

those chronically infected are unaware of it and are at risk of transmitting the

infection and of progressing to liver disease or developing liver cancer.

The product series is available on AAPCHO’s website at

hepatitisBseries.aapcho.org.

About AAPCHO

AAPCHO is a national association of 29 community health organizations dedicated

to promoting advocacy, collaboration, and leadership that improves the health

status and access of Asian Americans, Native Americans, and other Pacific

Islanders in the United States. For more information on AAPCHO and its Guiding

Principles and Values, please visit http://www.aapcho.org. AAPCHO can also be

found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/aapcho.

Contact

Lavilla

AAPCHO

(510) 272-9536 110

Email