Hep B Free Philadelphia Campaign
Hep B Free Philadelphia is a public awareness and education campaign – based on the enormously successful San Francisco Hep B Free campaign – that is being launched to address the growing severity of hepatitis B and liver cancer in the U.S.
The primary goals of the Philadelphia campaign include the following:
- (1) Raise the public profile of hepatitis B and liver cancer as an urgent health priority;
- (2) Promote hepatitis B testing and vaccination, particularly among at-risk populations; and
- (3) Involve key stakeholders and policy decision-makers to improve access to care for both prevention and treatment to reduce the burden of hepatitis B and liver cancer.
To achieve these goals, Hep B Free Philadelphia will establish partnerships to develop multiple levels of engagement and activities to ensure that this is truly a city-wide, community-owned campaign to improve the health and wellness of all Philadelphians!
Hepatitis B: A Philadelphia Story
Philadelphia is at the center of the hepatitis B story. The hepatitis B virus was discovered by Dr. Baruch Blumberg at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, for which he received a Nobel Prize, and he also invented the first hepatitis B vaccine. The hepatitis B vaccine is manufactured by only two companies in the U.S. – GlaxoSmithKline and Merck - which are both located in the Philadelphia region.
The first animal that was discovered to be most useful in studying hepatitis B was a groundhog living at the Philadelphia Zoo, and the only national nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for hepatitis B – the Hepatitis B Foundation - was established just outside Philadelphia.
So, it is only natural that Philadelphia would now take the lead in advancing the Hep B Free campaign as a means to help make hepatitis B a top health priority in the city and nationwide!
Launch of Hep B Free Philadelphia
On e June 15, the Philadelphia Health Commissioner, Dr. Donald Schwarz, will present the Mayoral Proclamation in support of Hep B Free Philadelphia at a special press conference at City Hall.
June 15, 2010 Program at 1:00 pm
Welcome
Joan M. Block, Executive Director, Hepatitis B Foundation
Walter Tsou, MD, Former Health Commissioner for Philadelphia
Comments and Presentation of Mayoral Proclamation
Donald Schwarz, MD, Deputy Mayor for Health and Opportunity and Health Commissioner for the City of Philadelphia
Mayor’s Commission on Asian American Affairs
Nina Ahmad, PhD, Chair
Open Discussion with Q & A
Moderators - Ms. Joan Block and Dr. Walter Tsou
Closing Remarks and Conclusion
Dr. Walter Tsou
PHILADELPHIA COMMUNITY AND CORPORATE SUPPORT(as of June 15, 2010)
All organizations are encouraged to join this important public health campaign!
AIDS Services in Asian Communities (ASIAC)
Albert Einstein Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation
American Cancer Society, SE Pennsylvania
American Liver Foundation, Mid-Atlantic Division
AmeriChoice of Pennsylvania
Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA)
at Drexel, Jefferson, Temple, UMDNJ and UPenn medical schools
Boat People SOS, Philadelphia
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia
Center for Asian Health at Temple University
Chinatown Health and Information Center
Chinatown Medical Services/Greater Philadelphia Health Action
CTE Healthcare Communications
Drexel University College of Medicine
Drexel University School of Public Health
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Gilead Sciences
HBV Team, UPenn
HBV Team, Princeton
Health Promotion Council of Southeast PA
Hepatitis B Foundation
HepTREC
Intercultural Family Services
Lourdes Medical Associates
Mayor's Commission on Asian American Affairs
Nationalities Service Center
North Penn Korean Coalition
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Pacific Rim Resource Center
Penn Asian Health Initiatives
Philadelphia Department of Public Health
Philip Jaisohn Memorial Center
Planned Parenthood, Philadelphia
Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC)
Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Associations Coalition (SEAMAAC)
Temple University School of Medicine
Thomas Jefferson University College of Medicine
University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
Wedge Medical Center
Women’s Christian Alliance
