Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), 100 times more infectious than HIV/AIDS,
is the leading cause of liver cancer in asians,
and many are still not aware of their hepatitis B status
Hep B Free Coalitions from Southern California come together to bring Hepatitis B awareness to Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
WHAT: May is Hepatitis Awareness Month & Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and May 19 is World Hepatitis Day! In observance, the Hep B Free Coalitions of Long Beach/South Bay, Los Angeles (LA) and Orange Counties are collaborating on a Southern California-wide “Hep B Free” campaign to increase awareness about chronic (lifelong) hepatitis B, a disease that affects about 10% of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). The Hep B Free campaign seeks to create public and healthcare provider awareness about the importance of testing and vaccinating all AAPIs for hepatitis B, to promote routine hepatitis B testing and vaccination within the primary care medical community, and to ensure access to treatment for chronically infected individuals.
SPEAKING: Mimi Chang, NP, Moderator, Co-Chair Hep B Free LA, Asian Pacific Liver CenterChristina Lee, MD, Family Physician, Talbert Medical GroupHelene Calvet, MD, Health Officer, Long Beach Department of Health and Human ServicesCommunity/Patient Advocates
INVITED: Assemblymember Warren Furutani (55h District), Mayor Bob Foster (City of Long Beach), Mayor Jim Dear (City of Carson)
WHEN: Thursday, May 20, 2010, 10:00 – 12:00 p.m. (Lunch will be provided)
WHERE: St. Mary Medical CenterHealth Enhancement Center, Parr Room, Second Floor1055 Linden Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813
RSVP: Hep B Free – SoCal Email: lachepb@gmail.com or (818)599-9132
Other Upcoming Events / Activities in the Community
Saturday, May 15 - Aloha Expo, Santa Fe Springs (Hepatitis B screening by Asian Pacific Liver Center, Hepatitis B Education by UCLA APA Health CARE, 10am - 2pm)
Sunday, May 16 - Hepatitis B Screening at Buddha's Birthday celebration, El Monte (screening by Asian Pacific Liver Center)
Monday, May 17 - Immigrant Day activities in Sacramento (organized by APA Legal Center in Los Angeles)
Tuesday, May 18 - Hepatitis B In-service at St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach
Wednesday, May 19 - Hepatitis B Advocacy in Action presentations at UC Irvine School of Medicine (12noon) and School of Nursing (2pm) // Viral Hepatitis Legislative Hearing (in Sacramento, hosted by CalHep and Assemblywoman Fiona Ma)
Thursday, May 20 - Hep B Free Long Beach/South Bay Kick-Off and Press Conference (see info below)
Friday, May 21 - Hepatitis B Advocacy in Action presentation at UCLA Team Hep B
Saturday, May 22 - Hepatitis B Screening in Chinatown (screening by Asian Pacific Liver Center)
Sunday, May 23 - Mandarin language Hepatitis B presentation by Dr. William Bao for Asian Youth Center
Monday, May 24 - Hep B Free Navigation kick-off meeting at LAC/USC Medical Center
