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Learning Objective:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to:
1. Understand the severity of chronic hepatitis B in the Asian American community and the need for culturally and linguistically-appropriate health care and public health initiatives.
2. Identify innovative approaches to community education and support for Asian American and minority hepatitis B carriers and their families.
3. Describe ways to improve chronic care management and enabling services for Asian American and minority patients with hepatitis B.
Background:
Approximately half of all Americans who suffer from chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are of Asian descent. Asian immigrants have economic, cultural and linguistic barriers in accessing appropriate healthcare.
Setting:
The Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, a federally funded community health center in New York City's Chinatown.
Population e.g. API Youth, MSM, IDU:
Chinese-Americans with or at high-risk for chronic hepatitis B infection.
Project Description:
To address the epidemic of hepatitis B in the Asian American community, the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center developed the B Healthy Program in collaboration with the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations. The primary goal of the program is to educate a high-risk population about hepatitis B prevention and to enhance patient services. The program's objectives are: 1) to maximize enabling services; 2) to provide community education and support for hepatitis B patients and their families; and 3) to develop case-management strategies for improved adherence to vaccination and follow-up.
Results/Lessons Learned:
Minority communities have cultural, socioeconomic and linguistic barriers in the prevention and treatment of Hepatitis B. Patient support groups are effective vehicles in providing advocacy, education, and support for patients and their families. It is also an effective tool in addressing misconceptions and stigma surrounding Hepatitis B. In addition, enhanced case-management and enabling services can lead to improved vaccination rates and follow-up.
See more of J5 - Models for Hepatitis Prevention and Control for Asian/Pacific Islander Communities
See more of The 2005 National Viral Hepatitis Prevention Conference