January 26, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Melinda Martin
Program Director of Health Disparities
(510) 272-9536 x108
mmartin@aapcho.org
OAKLAND, January 26, 2015 – The
Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO),
today launched new a website highlighting stories of Asian Americans and
Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) impacted by hepatitis B.
The #justB website was created to bring more attention to hepatitis B
and the impact it has on the Asian American community, as well as
reduce the stigma surrounding this disease. The website will feature
one new story each month with each account representing a personal story
from an individual affected by the virus, whether it be a person living
with hepatitis B, an individual caring for someone with hepatitis B, or
someone working within the field.
AAPCHO, which currently has a program addressing hepatitis B among
Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, launched
the website with a pair of stories. The first story describes how one
woman, who had been vaccinated and thought herself immune to the virus,
surprisingly discovered she had hepatitis B while working for a
hepatitis B screening program. A second story describes how Jane Pan,
the executive director of the Hepatitis B Initiative of Washington,
D.C., came to head the community-based organization, focused on
screening and outreach.
Chronic hepatitis B affects about 2 million Americans, and more than
half are AAPIs. The disease is often overlooked and under-diagnosed.
Within AAPI populations, many of those with hepatitis B do not want to
disclose their status for the fear of being alienated from their
communities. This campaign of stories is one concerted step by AAPCHO
and its partners to help combat the stigma faced by those with hepatitis
B.
To access the website, go to www.justbcampaign.org. Contact justbcampaign@aapcho.org for more information on the project or to submit a story for consideration.
About AAPCHO
AAPCHO is a national association of 35 community health organizations
dedicated to promoting advocacy, collaboration, and leadership that
improves the health status and access of Asian Americans, Native
Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islanders in the United States. For more
information on AAPCHO and its Guiding Principles and Values, please
visit www.aapcho.org.
Labels: AAPCHO, Storybank