Asian American health groups trying to curb hepatitis

Wesley Health Centers JWCH Institute truck for free hepatitis testing. CHRISTIAN ESTEBAN

LOS ANGELES – While 400 million people worldwide are living with viral hepatitis (either from hepatitis B or C), only five percent of them are aware of the infection.

Asian American health advocacy groups are among several organizations collaborating with medical institutions to change this picture.

With 4,000 preventable deaths each day, 1.4 million people will die from this leading infectious cause of death annually.

Koy Parada, Azusa Pacific University assistant professor and Hep B Free LA co-chair, explained that hepatitis vaccination and testing can reduce suffering and death and save 7 million lives by 2030.

“We can screen everybody that is chronically infected by hepatitis to keep them healthy and protect their family. Take blood test every three to six months and liver ultrasound every six to twelve months. It will save the lives and prevent transmission to one another,” Parada said.

“Hepatitis is a virus. If your body doesn’t have mechanism to fight it off, it will develop lifelong or chronic infection,” Parada added.

As of today, 5.3 million living in the United States have either hepatitis B or C.

About hepatitis B virus (HBV)

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) attacks the liver and can cause lifelong (chronic) infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure and death

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) have the highest rate of liver cancer of any racial group in the United States. Male Filipinos and Koreans are the fifth most common ethnic group to be attacked by liver cancer.

HCV is transmitted by exposure to infected blood coming from sexual transmission, injected drugs, blood transfusions, to name a few.

Hepatitis testing demonstration. CHRISTIAN ESTEBAN

Unlike hepatitis B, there is no vaccination to protect against hepatitis C virus. However, to prevent the infection, only sterile needles and equipment must be used personal items (i.e. toothbrushes, razors or nail clippers) should not be shared.

Prevention

HBV is avoidable by having vaccination and screening to prevent the virus transmission and reduce suffering and death.

Asian Pacific Health Care Venture (APHCV) and Asian Pacific Liver Center among the organizations trying reduce if not eliminate hepatitis infections and deaths. They, along with Hep B Free-Los Angeles, Hepatitis C Task Force of Los Angeles County and St. Vincent Medical Center, marked World Hepatitis Day July 28 with the free on-site testing for hepatitis B and C, HIV and sexually-transmitted infections.

Perla Santos, a Filipina Asian Pacific Health Venture (APHCV) Patient & Community Liaison, explained that hepatitis B is common among Asian Americans in the United States.

Although Asian Americans are only 4 percent of the U.S. population, they account for over half of the cases of chronic hepatitis B in the country. Approximately 2/3 of people living with chronic hepatitis B live in Asia.

“Although there is no cure, chronic hepatitis B can be a manageable disease. Many patients, once treated, can live normal and healthy lives,” Santos said.

“Early detection and proper management can help save lives. Take care of yourself by scheduling regular physician appointments to monitor your chronic hepatitis B progression. Protect your family by avoiding transmission of the virus. Receive treatments to help delay and help prevent liver damage from chronic hepatitis B,” Santos added.