San Francisco Hep B Free

Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of this presentation participants will be able to:
1.Describe SF Hep B Free campaign to eliminate transmission of hepatitis B among Asian Pacific Islanders (API) through active participation of all health care and community agencies in San Francisco.
2.Understand how to replicate strategies being utilized to promote public awareness, increase access to testing and vaccination, refer infected individuals into care, and educate primary care clinicians.

Background:
The San Francisco Hep B Free campaign goal is to eliminate the transmission of hepatitis B (HBV) in the API community, comprising 34% of the city's population. HBV is responsible for 80% of all liver cancers worldwide, and San Francisco has the highest liver cancer rate in the nation. Though less than 1% of the general U.S. population has chronic HBV; an estimated 1 in 10 API is infected. Liver cancer presents the greatest health disparity between Asian Americans and Caucasian Americans even though a safe & effective vaccine has existed for years.

Setting:
Aspects of the campaign take place at public & private health centers, hospitals, universities, community agencies, and in the media.

Population:
Asian and Pacific Islander adults residing in San Francisco.

Project Description:
The San Francisco Department of Public Health, Asian Liver Center at Stanford University, & AsianWeek Foundation lead the coordination of over 50 community-based organizations & health care agencies in a two-year campaign to (1) create public and healthcare provider awareness about the importance of testing and vaccinating API for hepatitis B; (2) promote routine hepatitis B testing & vaccination within the primary care medical community; and (3) ensure access to treatment for chronically infected individuals.

Results/Lessons Learned:
Coordinated citywide collaboration across disciplines overcomes resource barriers and builds workable infrastructures.