Coalition Against Hepatitis for People of African Origin (CHIPO)
The Coalition Against Hepatitis for People of African Origin (CHIPO) is a community coalition co-founded and led by the Hepatitis B Foundation. We are comprised of organizations and individuals interested in addressing the high rates of hepatitis B infection among African communities around the world. CHIPO serves as a forum for sharing information and best practices and increasing national capacity to improve hepatitis B awareness, testing, vaccination and treatment among highly affected African communities.
People of African origin are disproportionately affected by hepatitis B infection. In fact, in some African communities in the U.S., between 5% and 15% of people have chronic HBV infection. Unfortunately, due to the silent nature of the disease, lack of disease awareness, and limited health care access, most African community members who have hepatitis B DO NOT KNOW that they are infected. This puts them at much greater risk for premature death from cirrhosis or liver cancer.
The key to addressing the high burden of hepatitis B infection in people of African origin is to improve awareness and access to hepatitis B information, screening, vaccination, and follow-up care. CHIPO brings together people from around the world who are working in their own local communities to address these very issues.
Missed our latest webinar?
Hepatitis B in Southern Africa: Epidemiology, Integration, and the Role of Advocates in Civil Society
Dr. Michael Vinikoor, Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, discussed the distinct epidemiology of hepatitis B in the Southern Africa region; efforts to integrate hepatitis B into HIV programs in Zambia and Malawi and the rationale for this, as well as initial experiences with this at referral centers; and opportunities for advocacy on the part of civil society organizations and other stakeholders across Africa, and where efforts should be prioritized.
View our Publication! Barriers to Hepatitis B Screening and Prevention for African Immigrant Populations in the United States: A Qualitative Study (2020)
Join CHIPO!
Does your organization serve African populations, or are you a passionate community member? All are welcome at CHIPO's coalition calls! Our next call will take place on Wednesday May 14th, 2025 at 2pm Eastern Time. This meeting, we are very pleased to welcome Ramatu Ahmed of the African Life Center in New York City, who will be sharing about the mission, vision, and history of the organization, and in particular some of their efforts to address hepatitis B in African immigrant communities, as well as some areas where additional support can be helpful. We look forward to a great presentation and hope you can join! Email beatrice.zovich@hepb.org if you have questions or are interested in joining!
CHIPO Call Minutes
News Update! Making a major investment to fight hepatitis B in Africa
The Hepatitis B Foundation is launching a major new program to support hepatitis B elimination in Africa, building on years of successful partnerships in the region. The initiative will strengthen local efforts in prevention, education, testing, and care, with a focus on community-based organizations and people with lived experience. Through capacity-building, best practice-sharing, and collaborative networking, the program aims to drive meaningful change across the continent.
Learn more about this groundbreaking effort here!
New Blog Post! CHIPO Member Highlight: Hepatitis Outreach Network
This month, CHIPO highlights the incredible work of the Hepatitis Outreach Network (HONE) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. We spoke with Project Coordinator Assita Belemkoabga about HONE’s mission to combat hepatitis B through community-based screening, education, and strong partnerships. She shares insights on overcoming barriers like language, stigma, and healthcare access, and how HONE is making a lasting impact in African immigrant communities. Read on to learn more about their vital work and commitment to health equity!
Read here!
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