Wednesday, May 15, 2024
5/15/2024
In the U.S., rates of acute hepatitis B (HBV) infection have dropped dramatically among newborns and children primarily related to universal vaccination, yet high rates of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection still persist particularly among high-risk foreign-born Asian, Pacific Islanders and Africans (FBAPIAs) adult populations. In the U.S., the number of CHB infections is approximately 1.2 million (CDC, 2012), although recent studies estimate this number to be as high as 2 million, and Asians and Pacific Islanders account for more than 50% of people living with CHB, while African immigrants account for up to 30% of those with CHB, irrespective of the fact that they constitute less than 6% of the total U.S. population. Less than 50% of individuals with CHB have been tested for HBV; among persons who are aware of their HBV infection, only one-third report that they are receiving medical care for CHB. Better-HEALTH (Helping Educate All and Link Those with Hepatitis) is an academic and community?based program. The Asian Health Coalition (AHC), a community based organization focused on health, will leverage the resources and longstanding collaborations with the University of Chicago Medicine, Center for Asian Health Equity (CAHE) to implement Better-HEALTH as a multi-level and comprehensive partnership strategy intended to identify, educate, navigate, screen, vaccinate and treat those already affected and those at risk of being affected by HBV in our community utilizing a wide-range of engagement approaches. We will build both the community and academic capacity for the culturally tailored and language specific approach to create and sustain an infrastructure for the prevention and eradication of hepatitis B.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
