Glossary
Cirrhosis - A serious liver condition characterized by irreversible scarring of the liver that can lead to liver failure and death. Continuous inflammation of the liver can lead to this excess scar formation. Cirrhosis results in the loss of liver cells and impairs liver function.
Vaccine - There is a safe vaccine for hepatitis B, which offers a lifetime of protection. The vaccine is recommended for all newborns, children, and high-risk adults. The vaccine is a series of 3 shots given over a 6-month period.
Incidence - The rate of occurrence of new cases of a particular disease in a certain population over a certain time period.
Hemodialysis - Medical procedure to remove wastes or toxins from the blood. Commonly used in patients with reduced kidney function.
Mortality Rate - the number of deaths in a population for a given time, usually expressed as a proportion of the population
Perinatally - Transmission of an infectious disease, such as hepatitis B, from mother to newborn (also called “vertical transmission). Hepatitis B is transmitted from mother to baby as a result of blood exchange during the labor and delivery process.
Disparities – a health disparity effects one race or ethnicity more than others. Eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities is a priority of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Linguistically and culturally-competent – Health care or health services which overcome language and cultural barriers between provider and patient, in order to achieve a better health outcome.
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) – An FQHC is a type community health center providing primary and preventing services, which receives federal grant funding
