San Francisco Hep B Free - B Sure, B Tested, B Free

First City in the U.S. to Test & Vaccinate All Asian and Pacific Islanders

for Hepatitis B

    SAN FRANCISCO, April 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Mayor Gavin Newsom,
 Assemblywoman Fiona Ma and Supervisor Ed Jew will lead representatives from
 over 50 healthcare and Asian Pacific Islander (API) organizations to launch
 the first San Francisco Hep B Free Campaign on Wednesday, April 25th at New
 Asia Restaurant at 772 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA.
     This major collaborative effort brings together city government,
 private healthcare and non-profit community organizations in a 2-year-long
 campaign to screen, vaccinate, and treat all API residents for hepatitis B
 (HBV).
     The SF Hep B Free campaign will put San Francisco at the forefront of
 America in fighting chronic hepatitis. This campaign is also the largest
 healthcare campaign to target Asian and Pacific Islanders in the U.S.
     San Francisco's API residents comprise 34% of the city's population and
 bear a disproportionate burden of liver cancer and undetected HBV
 infection. Hepatitis B is a serious disease responsible for 80% of all
 liver cancers among APIs. San Francisco has the highest liver cancer rate
 in the nation. It is estimated that 1 in 10 people in the API community
 have an undiagnosed infection. APIs are up to 100 times more likely to
 suffer from chronic HBV infection and 4 times more likely to die from liver
 cancer compared with the general population.
     "Hepatitis B virus is a highly infectious disease that is affecting the
 health of our vibrant Asian and Pacific Islander community," said Mayor
 Gavin Newsom. "Fortunately, a vaccine exists that is safe and effective.
 San Francisco is committed to preventing the spread of this virus. Please
 join our efforts in making San Francisco a hepatitis B free city."
     In November 2006, Mayor Newsom signed a resolution authored by then
 Supervisor Fiona Ma establishing the goal of universal HBV screening and
 vaccination for API residents. The SF Hep B Free Steering Committee was
 also formed, comprised of the San Francisco Department of Public Health,
 Asian Liver Center at Stanford University, and AsianWeek Foundation.
 Assemblywoman Ma serves as honorary chairperson. "I am proud to help lead
 this campaign because it focuses on prevention and awareness," said
 Assemblywoman Ma, an HBV carrier herself. "These are key factors for
 preventing the spread of hepatitis B in the Asian and Pacific Islander
 community."
     "This is a big problem for Asians and Asian Americans," said Dr. Samuel
 So, Director of the Asian Liver Center at Stanford University. "Most Asian
 Americans are recent immigrants and their doctors have never tested them.
     The SF Hep B Free campaign will spread its message of B Sure, B Tested,
 B Free with media outreach including Asian television, print, and radio as
 well as mainstream media outlets. Members of the SF Hospital Council and
 the SF Community Clinic Coalition, the Asian Liver Center, API Wellness
 Center and others will provide accessible and free or low-cost screenings
 and vaccinations via physician offices, health clinics, and street fairs.
 
 

SOURCE Asian Liver Center at Stanford University