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  • Hepatitis B in Asian Populations

    In the United States, an estimated 2.2 million people are living with chronic hepatitis B infection and most do not know they have it. Without diagnosis and treatment, 1 in 4 persons will develop cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis B is associated with significant health disparities, disproportionately impacting Asian American, Pacific Islander, and African immigrant communities. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders make up 50% of the hepatitis B infection burden in the United States and have liver cancer rates that are up to 13 times higher than Caucasian populations despite making up 6% of the United States' population. Why are People of Asian Descent Disproportionately Affected?  First-generation Asians from China, Korea, Vietnam, and those from the Pacific Islands are particularly highly impacted by hepatitis B due to the history of the virus (the virus has been circulating in certain areas of the world for thousands of years), as well as historically low infant immunization rates against the disease in many countries. Most Asians and Pacific Islanders who have hepatitis B were infected during childbirth from their mothers who were infected – that is why it is common to see multiple members of the same family affected by hepatitis B. The great news is that the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine has been increasing in uptake in Asian countries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in the South East Asian Region that the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose and third dose coverage increased from 34% to 54% and from 89% to 91%, respectively. In 2019, nine of 11 countries in the region achieved ≥90% of the hepatitis B vaccine third dose coverage nationally, and three of eight countries that provide the hepatitis B birth-dose achieved ≥90% coverage.1 This great news comes with the World Health Organization announcing cases of hepatitis B in children under age five had dropped below 1% in 2019 which can be attributed to the increased

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/hepatitis-b-asian-populations/
  • Adoption and Hepatitis B

      November is National Adoption Month! National Adoption Month’s ultimate goal is to increase national awareness of the need for permanent families for children and youth in the U.S. foster care system. Most importantly, this month acknowledges the birth families who make the difficult decision to give up their children for adoption, the foster families who care for children from various backgrounds, and the adoptive families who love and care for their adoptive children. Adoption and Hepatitis B  Many people wish to adopt children from countries where hepatitis B infections are common: Asia, South America, Eastern Europe, and some parts of Africa. Children from these regions are often infected with the virus from their birth mothers who have hepatitis B and unknowingly pass the disease on to their children during delivery. In addition, many of these countries re-use needles for medications or blood tests, a practice that places children at risk if they have not already been infected at birth. It is advised that you do not request your child to be tested for hepatitis B in their birth country, since the blood test itself could be a source of infection. Domestic adoptions also present some risk to potential adoptees. Children born to women in high-risk groups could have been infected with hepatitis B at birth. In addition, children from group homes are at increased risk for hepatitis B infection. Many children who have hepatitis B do not have symptoms of the viral infection. This makes it difficult for adoptive parents to know their child is sick without a blood test! This simple 3-part blood panel will inform you if your child has an active infection, had a previous infection and recovered, has “immunity”, or needs a vaccine. The good news is that your adoption agency should be able to tell you if a child has been tested for hepatitis B. If you have questions or concerns about the test results please contact us to speak with our knowledgeable staff. We

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/adoption-hepatitis-b-2/
  • National Family Caregivers Month and Hepatitis B

    November is National Family Caregivers Month! There are over 40 million Americans who are unpaid caregivers to their families, friends, and neighbors1. This month we celebrate and support all the caregivers who work tirelessly to keep our family and communities strong. Caregivers and Hepatitis B  Caregiving can be a tough, but noble job. It is often unpaid, long hours, and can cause burnout. However, caregivers selflessly work to provide their friends or family with the best care possible. Hepatitis B just does not affect the person living with the virus; it affects their family, friends, coworkers, and community members. Someone who lives with an individual who has hepatitis B might be put in a caregiver position. Caring for an individual living with hepatitis B might be difficult if the person has advanced liver disease or is experiencing side effects from medication. While it may not always be physically demanding, caring for a person with hepatitis B can be emotionally overwhelming. Caring for an individual living with hepatitis B and other related complications can stir up heavy emotions which can take a toll on a caregiver’s mental health. Managing medications, diet, and healthy lifestyle for people living with hepatitis B during the COVID-19 pandemic can especially feel stressful. Luckily, there are resources available to help reduce feelings of stress and being overwhelmed. Resources for Caregivers Feeling stressed or overwhelmed with taking care of your friend or family member? It is also important to look after your own physical and mental health. Check out these resources from the How Right Now Initiative to help you manage your stress especially during COVID-19. Some suggestions include: Go for a quick walk or stretch Call, text, or video chat with friends or family Take several deep breaths Does someone in your close circle have hepatitis B? Check out the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention’s Know Hepatitis B Campaign’s fact sheet,

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/national-family-caregivers-month-hepatitis-b/
  • Announcing the New Current Patient Opportunities Page on the HBF Website

    A new page has been created on the Hepatitis B Foundation’s website that contains a compilation of various opportunities available for people living with hepatitis B. These opportunities can be for clinical trials, other types of research, or toolkits with information and resources for those living with hepatitis B and their loved ones and community members. All of these postings are produced or organized by entities external to HBF, but all are related to improved quality of life and liver health. The first two of these opportunities are listed below. New Tool from CME Outfitters A new HBV Patient Education Hub has been compiled by continuing medical education company CME Outfitters. The hub includes a great deal of valuable information, such as an overview of hepatitis B, a list of questions to ask your healthcare provider, a patient guide, information about hepatitis B co-infection, doctors’ advice on what to expect from treatment, and many other resources. All information is in an engaging and accessible format. Check it out today! New Study Opportunity Available for People Living with Itching (Cholestatic Pruritus) Due to Liver Disease or Injury A new paid opportunity has become available for those experiencing itching caused by hepatitis B, hepatitis C, drug-induced liver injury, auto-immune hepatitis, or primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). If you live in Canada or the US and have this condition, you may be eligible to participate in an interview to help researchers better understand your lived experience. The new research study is seeking participants ages 12-80 living in the US and Canada who are living with this itch. This is an opportunity to be involved in research and help advance scientific understanding! Contact the research coordinator for more information and to check if you are eligible.  Please note that this study does not include treatment and pruritus must be at an intensity level of 4 on a scale of 1-10 for at least the past 8 weeks in

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/announcing-new-current-patient-opportunities-page-hbf-website/
  • Hepatitis B and Discrimination of Health Care Students

    … studies. They additionally recommend hepatitis B testing only for healthcare providers at increased risk of infection or conducting invasive, exposure-prone procedures and most health care students are not participating in these invasive procedures. If you want to know what to do if you are facing discrimination visit the Know Your Rights section of our website.  Resources Please join Hep Free Hawai'i, ACLU Hawai'i, the National Task Force on Hepatitis B: Focus on AAPIs, Hep B United, and Hepatitis B Foundation on October 15th at 6PM ET to address hepatitis B discrimination among health care students. Dr. Chari Cohen, Senior Vice President of the Hepatitis B Foundation and Taylor Mangan, University of California President's Public Service Law Fellow at ACLU Hawai'i will discuss hepatitis B related institutional discrimination against health care students, current protections and recommendations in place to protect health care students from discrimination. Register here. The Hepatitis B Foundation’s website has an entire page focused on the rights of individuals living with hepatitis B. Check it out each section: U.S Schools and Education Employment U.S Military U.S Access to Medication Immigration and International Issues Reference   Moraras, K., Block, J., Shiroma, N., Cannizzo, A., & Cohen, C. (2020). Protecting the Rights of Health Care Students Living With Hepatitis B Under the Americans With Disabilities Act. Public Health Reports, 135(1_suppl), 13S-18S. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033354920921252 Author: Evangeline Wang, Program Coordinator, Hepatitis B Foundation Contact Information: info@hepb.org

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/hepatitis-b-discrimination-health-care-students/
  • Hepatitis B Foundation invites everyone to participate in the online silent auction fundraiser.

    The auction catalog is live now and bidding opens the morning of March 9.  Doylestown, March 2, 2023 – The Hepatitis B Foundation holds an annual fundraising Gala to support the many life-changing programs that the Foundation makes possible. The Gala traditionally features a silent auction with more than 50 attractive and fun packages donated primarily by Bucks County businesses, and this year’s catalog is richer than ever. Anyone can bid on the items offered, whether they attend the March 10 Gala or not. Bidding will open on Thursday, March 9, at 6 a.m. EDT and will close on Friday, March 10, at 9:30 p.m. EDT. The catalogue, with guidance for potential bidders, is here: bit.ly/HBFGalauction2023. The offerings include a car detailing package from the Fred Beans Family of Dealerships and 12 monthly deliveries of coffee from the Hawaii farm run by Cynthia and Bruce Maryanoff. There’s a PlayStation 5 in the auction. Sundance Vacation donated two Philadelphia Eagles tickets which are part of a larger package, including a football autographed by Miles Sanders, a photo signed by Darius Slay, a beanie and a bottle of wine. There are five travel packages, such as a night at the Camelback Resort and a New York City adventure. Car enthusiasts can bid on a drag-racing pit crew experience. And Leading Edge Aviation has given a Discovery Flight, which is a great way to experience flying in a small plane while enjoying aerial views of Bucks County.  “The auction’s proceeds all go to support the many programs and services provided by the Hepatitis B Foundation both here in the United State and worldwide,” Jean Holmes, vice president for institutional advancement at the Foundation, said. “We are the nation’s leading nonprofit organization solely dedicated to finding a cure for hepatitis B and improving the quality of life for those affected worldwide through research, education and patient advocacy. Our operations are continually expanding both in scope and geography, thanks in part to the many donors who support the Foundation.” Everyone is invited to click on Auction Catalog to see a sneak peek of items in our auction this year. And keep checking back for new items and packages to be added. About Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is the most common serious liver infection in the world. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus that attacks and injures the liver. Each year up to 1 million people die from hepatitis B worldwide, even though it is preventable and treatable. Hepatitis B is a “silent epidemic” because most people do not have symptoms when they are newly or chronically infected. Thus, they can unknowingly infect others and continue the spread of hepatitis B. For people who are chronically infected but don’t have any symptoms, their livers are still being silently damaged, which can develop into serious liver disease such as cirrhosis or liver cancer. About the Hepatitis B Foundation: We are the nation’s leading nonprofit organization solely dedicated to finding a cure for hepatitis B and improving the quality of life for those affected worldwide through research, education and patient advocacy. Founded in 1991, the Hepatitis B Foundation is based in Doylestown, Pa., with an office in Washington, D.C. To learn more, go to www.hepb.org and www.hepb30years.org, read our blog at hepb.org/blog, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@hepbfoundation) or call us at 215-489-4900. To donate, contact Jean Holmes at 215-489-4900 or jean.holmes@hepb.org.

    https://www.hepb.org/news-and-events/news-2/hepatitis-b-foundation-invites-everyone-to-participate-in-the-online-silent-auction-fundraiser/
  • Hepatitis B Foundation strongly endorses the Liver Illness Visibility, Education and Research (LIVER) Act of 2021

    Doylestown, Oct. 22, 2021 – The Hepatitis B Foundation strongly endorses yesterday’s reintroduction of the Liver Illness Visibility, Education and Research (LIVER) Act of 2021. Introduced in the U.S. Senate (S.3041) by Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and in the House (H.R.5675) by Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), the bill takes bold steps to increase investments in research, prevention and awareness activities to address hepatitis B, which kills an estimate 820,000 annually, and to address liver cancer, which continues to grow in incidence and is the second deadliest cancer. Because hepatitis B is a major cause of liver cancer, research efforts to cure these two diseases are linked. The LIVER Act, which is co-sponsored in the House by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), will authorize an additional $45 million annually for five years to fund hepatitis B and liver cancer research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and will: Raise the profile of liver disease at the NIH by adding Liver to the name of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) to make it the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, Kidney and Liver Diseases; Elevate the Liver Branch at NIDDK to a Division and require that the new Liver Division report directly to the Institute Director; Direct the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to issue targeted calls for proposals, including a call for a new liver Specialized Program of Research Excellence for primary liver cancer, and have those proposals reviewed by a new Special Emphasis Panel; Direct the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and NIDDK to issue targeted calls for proposals to focus on research questions identified by the hepatitis B research community; and, Direct NIH to establish an inter-institute working group to coordinate hepatitis B and liver cancer research. The bill also will authorize an additional $90 million annually for five years to fund prevention and awareness grants at the CDC, including grants for screening, vaccination and treatment for liver cancer, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and cirrhosis of the liver. “The Hepatitis B Foundation applauds Senator Duckworth and Congresswoman Velazquez for their leadership and vision on this vital issue, and we stand ready to help ensure that this important legislation becomes enacted into law,” said Chari Cohen, DrPH, MPH, senior vice president of the Hepatitis B Foundation. About Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is the most common serious liver infection in the world. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus that attacks and injures the liver. Each year up to 1 million people die from hepatitis B worldwide, even though it is preventable and treatable. Hepatitis B is a “silent epidemic” because most people do not have symptoms when they are newly or chronically infected. Thus, they can unknowingly infect others and continue the spread of hepatitis B. For people who are chronically infected but don’t have any symptoms, their livers are still being silently damaged, which can develop into serious liver disease such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.

    https://www.hepb.org/news-and-events/news-2/hepatitis-b-foundation-strongly-endorses-the-liver-illness-visibility-education-and-research-liver-act-of-2021/
  • Hepatitis B Foundation Endorses the Liver Illness Visibility, Education, and Research (LIVER) Act of 2018

    DOYLESTOWN, PA (October 16, 2018) The Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF) strongly endorses the introduction the Liver Illness Visibility, Education and Research (LIVER) Act of 2018. Introduced by Representative Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), the bill takes bold steps to increase investments in research, prevention, and awareness activities to address hepatitis B, which kills up to 1 million people a year, and liver cancer, which continues to grow in incidence and is the 2nd deadliest cancer worldwide. As hepatitis B is the major cause of liver cancer, research efforts to cure these two diseases are linked. The bill, now known as HR 7063, includes significant provisions that will support and accelerate liver cancer and hepatitis B research. The LIVER Act will authorize an additional $45 million a year for five years for hepatitis B and liver cancer research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and will: Raise the profile of liver disease at the NIH by adding Liver to the name of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) to make it the Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, Kidney and Liver Diseases; Elevate the Liver Branch at NIDDK  to a Division and require that the new Liver Division report directly to the Institute Director; Direct the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to issue targeted calls for proposal, including a call for a new liver Specialized Program of Research Excellence for primary liver cancer, and have those proposals reviewed by a new Special Emphasis Panel; Direct the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and NIDDK to issue targeted calls for proposals to focus on research questions identified by the hepatitis B research community; and, Direct NIH to establish an inter-institute working group to coordinate hepatitis B and liver cancer research. The bill will also authorize an additional $100 million a year for five years for prevention and awareness grants at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including grants for screening, vaccination, and treatment for liver cancer, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and cirrhosis of the liver.  “The Hepatitis B Foundation applauds Congresswoman Velazquez for her leadership and vision on this issue,” said Dr. Tim Block, President of the Hepatitis B Foundation. “We stand ready to help see this important legislation enacted into law.” About Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is the most common serious liver infection in the world. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus that attacks and injures the liver. Each year up to 1 million people die from hepatitis B worldwide despite the fact that it is preventable and treatable. Hepatitis B is a “silent epidemic” because most people do not have symptoms when they are newly infected or chronically infected. Thus, they can unknowingly spread the virus to others and continue the silent spread of hepatitis B. For people who are chronically infected but don’t have any symptoms, their liver is still being silently damaged which can develop into serious liver disease such as cirrhosis or liver cancer. About the Hepatitis B Foundation: The Hepatitis B Foundation is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization solely dedicated to finding a cure for hepatitis B and improving the quality of life for those affected worldwide through research, education and patient advocacy. To learn more, go to www.hepb.org, read our blog at hepb.org/blog, follow us on Twitter @HepBFoundation, find us on Facebook at facebook.com/hepbfoundation or call 215-489-4900.   # # #  

    https://www.hepb.org/news-and-events/news-2/liver-act/

  • ການຖືພາ ແລະ ໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້  ຖ້າຂ້ອຍຖືພາ ຂ້ອຍຈະໄດ້ຖືກກວດຫາໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ບໍ?ແມ່ນແລ້ວ, ຜູ່ຍິງຖືພາທຸກຄົນຄວນຈະໄດ້ຮັບການກວດຫາໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້! ຖ້າວ່າຂ້ອຍຖືພາ, ຈົ່ງໝັ້ນໃຈວ່າແພດຂອງທ່ານກວດຫາໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ຂອງທ່ານ ກ່ອນລູກຂອງທ່ານຈະເກີດ. ເປັນຫຍັງການກວດເຫຼົ່ານີ້ຈຶ່ງສໍາຄັນສໍາລັບຜູ່ຍິງຖືພາ?ຖ້າຜົນກວດຂອງທ່ານເປັນບວກສໍາລັບໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ແລະ ທ່ານຖືພາ, ໄວຣັສ໌ສາມາດກະຈາຍໄປຫາລູກທີ່ເກີດໃໝ່ຂອງທ່ານໃນເວລາຖືພາ ຫຼື ໃນເວລາອອກລູກ. ຖ້າແພດຂອງທ່ານຮູ້ວ່າ ທ່ານມີໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້, ລາວສາມາດຈັດການເບິ່ງແຍງສຸຂະພາບທີ່ເໝາະສົມໃນຫ້ອງອອກລູກ ເພື່ອປ້ອງກັນລູກຂອງທ່ານຈາກການຕິດເຊື້ອ. ຖ້າວ່າບໍ່ປະຕິບັດຕາມຂັ້ນຕອນທີ່ເໝາະສົມ, ລູກຂອງທ່ານຈະມີໂອກາດສ່ຽງ 95% ໃນການເປັນໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ຊໍາເຮື້ອ! ການຕິດເຊື້ອໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ຈະມີຜົນກະທົບຕໍ່ການຖືພາຂອງຂ້ອຍບໍ?ການຕິດເຊື້ອໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ບໍ່ຄວນຈະເຮັດໃຫ້ເກີດບັນຫາໃຫ້ທ່ານ ຫຼື ລູກເກີດໃໝ່ຂອງທ່ານໃນເວລາຖືພາ. ສິ່ງສໍາຄັນແມ່ນແພດຂອງທ່ານຈະຕ້ອງຮູ້ວ່າ ມີການຕິດເຊື້ອໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ເພື່ອໃຫ້ລາວສາມາດຕິດຕາມສຸຂະພາບຂອງທ່ານ ແລະ ເພື່ອໃຫ້ລູກຂອງທ່ານສາມາດໄດ້ຮັບການປົກປ້ອງຈາກການຕິດເຊື້ອຫຼັງຈາກເກີດມາ. ຖ້າວ່າຂ້ອຍຖືພາ ແລະ ມີໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້, ຂ້ອຍຈະສາມາດປົກປ້ອງລູກຂອງຂ້ອຍໄດ້ແນວໃດ?ຖ້າທ່ານມີຜົນກວດໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ເປັນບວກ, ແພດຂອງທ່ານຄວນຈະກວດຫາສານກະຕຸ້ນການສ້າງສານຕໍ່ຕ້ານ-ອີ ເຮປາຕິດບີ້ (hepatitis ບີ້ e-antigen - HBeAg), ແລະ ຖ້າວ່າເປັນຄ່າບວກ, ທ່ານຄວນຈະກວດເລືອດຫາປະລິມານໄວຣັສ໌ຢູ່ໃນໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ (ການບອກຈໍານວນ HBV DNA). ໃນບາງກໍລະນີ, ຜົນຈາກການກວດໃນຫ້ອງທົດລອງອາດຈະສະແດງປະລິມານໄວຣັສ໌ທີ່ສູງ. ໃນກໍລະນີເຫຼົ່ານີ້, ແພດຂອງທ່ານອາດຈະແນະນໍາໃຫ້ທ່ານກິນຢາຕ້ານໄວຣັສ໌ໃນໄລຍະສາມາດທີສາມ, ຊຶ່ງມີຄວາມປອດໄພໃນການຫຼຸດຜ່ອນຄວາມສ່ຽງໃນການຕິດເຊື້ອແກ່ລູກຂອງທ່ານໃນເວລາເກີດ. ຖ້າທ່ານກວດໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ພົບວ່າເປັນຄ່າບວກ, ລູກເກີດໃໝ່ຂອງທ່ານຕ້ອງໄດ້ຮັບການສັກວັກຊີນສອງເຂັມທັນທີໃນຫ້ອງອອກລູກ: ຢາວັກຊີນໄວຣັສຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ເຂັມທໍາອິດ  ໜຶ່ງເຂັມແມ່ນໂກຼບູລິນພູມຕ້ານທານໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ (HBIG) ຖ້າວ່າມີການໃສ່ຢາທັງສອງຢ່າງນີ້ຢ່າງຖືກຕ້ອງພາຍໃນ 12 ຊົ່ວໂມງທໍາອິດຫຼັງຈາກເກີດມາ, ເດັກນ້ອຍເກີດໃໝ່ມີໂອກາດຫຼາຍກວ່າ 90% ໃນການຖືກປົກປ້ອງຈາກການຕິດເຊື້ອໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ໃນຊົ່ວຊີວິດ. ທ່ານຕ້ອງໝັ້ນໃຈວ່າ ລູກຂອງທ່ານໄດ້ຮັບຢາວັກຊີນໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ທີ່ເຫຼືອ 2-3 ຄັ້ງຕາມແຜນ. ການໃຊ້ຢາທຸກຄັ້ງຕ້ອງໃຫ້ສົມບູນ ເພື່ອໃຫ້ລູກຂອງທ່ານໄດ້ຮັບການປົກປ້ອງໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ຢ່າງເຕັມຫຼັກສູດ. ນອກຈາກນັ້ນ ສິ່ງສໍາຄັນແມ່ນ ເດັກນ້ອຍທີ່ເກີດມາຈາກແມ່ທີ່ມີ HBV-ເປັນບວກ ຈະໄດ້ຮັບການກວດຫາສານຕໍ່ຕ້ານໃນຮ່າງກາຍຫຼັງຈາກສັກຢາວັກຊີນເຂົ້າໄປພາຍໃນ 9-12 ເດືອນ ເພື່ອຢັ້ງຢືນວ່າ ເດັກນ້ອຍໄດ້ຮັບການປ້ອງກັນຈາກ HBV ແລະ ບໍ່ໄດ້ຮັບເຊື້ອ. ການກວດປະກອບດ້ວຍ HBsAg ແລະ ການກວດຫາສານຕໍ່ຕ້ານ-HBs. ຈະບໍ່ມີໂອກາດທີສອງທີ່ຈະປ້ອງກັນເດັກນ້ອຍທີ່ເກີດໃໝ່ຂອງທ່ານ! ການສັກວັກຊີນຢູ່ນອກສະຫະຣັຖໃນຫຼາຍປະເທດ, ວັກຊີນເພັນຕາວາເລັນ (pentavalent), ການຮວບຮວມວັກຊີນ 5 ຊະນິດເຂົ້ານໍາກັນ ເພື່ອປ້ອງກັນພະຍາດຫ້າຊະນິດ (ຄໍຕີບ, ໄອໄກ່, ບາດທະຍັກ, Hib ແລະ ໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້) ທີ່ອາດຈະເກີດໃນເດັກນ້ອຍອາຍຸຫຼາຍກວ່າ 6 ອາທິດ, ແລະ ສາມາດເປັນໄດ້ຮອດອາຍຸ 1 ປີ. ເຂັມທໍາອິດຈະໄດ້ຮັບພາຍໃນ 6 ອາທິດ, ແລະ ເຂັມທີສອງ ແລະ ສາມ ຈະໄດ້ຮັບໃນອາທິດທີ 10 ແລະ 14 ຂອງອາຍຸ. ວັກຊີນເພັນຕາວາເລັນ ອາດຈະບໍ່ເສຍຄ່າສັກ ໂດຍການສະໜັບສະໜູນຂອງ Gavi, ກຸ່ມພັນທະມິດວັກຊີນ (Vaccine Alliance). ສອບຖາມສູນຄາວຕີ້ Gavi ເພື່ອເບິ່ງຢາ ແລະ ພູມຕ້ານທານທີ່ມີໃຫ້: http://www.gavi.org/country/. ສໍາລັບເດັກນ້ອຍທີ່ເກີດຈາກແມ່ທີ່ມີໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້, ການລໍຖ້າສັກວັກຊີນເພັນຕາວາເລັນເຂັມທໍາອິດ ແມ່ນຊ້າເກີນໄປ ແລະ ຈະບໍ່ປ້ອງກັນລູກຈາກການຕິດເຊື້ອໃນເວລາກໍາເນີດ ຫຼື ພາຍໃນຫົກອາທິດທໍາອິດຫຼັງຈາກເກີດອອກມາ. ຜູ່ຍິງທີ່ມີໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ເປັນບວກ ມີແນວໂນ້ມທີ່ຈະກະຈາຍໄວຣັສ໌ໃຫ້ລູກຂອງລາວ, ຊຶ່ງເປັນຜູ່ທີ່ຈະໄດ້ຮັບເຊື້ອຊໍາເຮື້ອໃນພາຍຫຼັງ. ອົງການ WHO ແນະນໍາໃຫ້ໄປສັກວັກຊີນໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ພາຍໃນ 24 ຊົ່ວໂມງຫຼັງຈາກເກີດອອກມາສໍາລັບເດັກນ້ອຍທຸກຄົນ. ວາງແຜນໄວ້ລ່ວງໜ້າ ແລະ ສອບຖາມກ່ຽວກັບຢາ ແລະ ມູນຄ່າຂອງການສັກຢາຄັ້ງດຽວ (ສັກຢາຮວມທຸກຢ່າງໃນເຂັມດຽວ), ສັກຢາວັກຊີນຫຼັງຈາກເກີດອອກມາໃໝ່, ເນື່ອງຈາກວ່າມັນບໍ່ແມ່ນພູມຕ້ານທານທີ່ Gavi ເປັນຜູ່ຈັດຫາໃຫ້. ນີ້ແມ່ນສິ່ງສໍາຄັນໂດຍສະເພາະກັບຜູ່ຍິງທີ່ມີຜົນໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ເປັນບວກ. ຖ້າທ່ານບໍ່ໝັ້ນໃຈໃນສະຖານະພາບຂອງໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ຂອງທ່ານ, ຈົ່ງໝັ້ນໃຈວ່າໝໍຂອງທ່ານສາມາດກວດຫາເຊື້ອໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ຈາກທ່ານ! ສໍາລັບເດັກນ້ອຍທີ່ບໍ່ໄດ້ຮັບວັກຊີນເພັນຕາວາເລັນ, ການສັກຢາຄັ້ງທໍາອິດເທື່ອດຽວ, ຕ້ອງສັກວັກຊີນ HBV ພາຍໃນ 12 ຊົ່ວໂມງຫຼັງຈາກເກີດອອກມາ, ຫຼັງຈາກນັ້ນສັກວັກຊີນໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ອີກ 2-3 ຄັ້ງສ່ວນທີ່ເຫຼືອແມ່ນດຳເນີນການຕາມແຜນ. ສໍາລັບເດັກນ້ອຍທີ່ໄດ້ຮັບວັກຊີນເພັນຕາວາເລັນ, ວັກຊີນໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ເຂັມທໍາອິດ ຈະຕ້ອງສັກພາຍໃນ 12 ຊົ່ວໂມງຫຼັງຈາກເກີດອອກມາ, ແລະ ສັກວັກຊີນ HBV ຄັ້ງທີສອງ ແລະ ທີສາມ ຊຶ່ງຈະປະກອບດ້ວຍ ວັກຊີນເພັນຕາວາເລັນ ເຂັມທີ 1 ແລະ ເຂັມທີ 2. *ໝາຍເຫດ: CDC ແນະນໍາໃຫ້ສັກວັກຊີນຄັ້ງທໍາອິດຂອງ HBV ທັງສອງເຂັມ ແລະ HBIG ພາຍໃນ 12 ຊົ່ວໂມງຫຼັງຈາກເກີດອອກມາ. HBIG ອາດຈະບໍ່ມີໃຫ້ໃນທຸກປະເທດ. ຂ້ອຍຕ້ອງໄດ້ຮັບການປິ່ນປົວໃນເວລາທີ່ຂ້ອຍຖືພາບໍ່?ການຕິດເຊື້ອໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ບໍ່ຄວນຈະເຮັດໃຫ້ເກີດບັນຫາໃຫ້ທ່ານ ຫຼື ລູກເກີດໃໝ່ຂອງທ່ານໃນເວລາຖືພາ.ສິ່ງສໍາຄັນແມ່ນແພດຂອງທ່ານຈະຕ້ອງຮູ້ວ່າ ມີການຕິດເຊື້ອໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ເພື່ອໃຫ້ລາວສາມາດຕິດຕາມສຸຂະພາບຂອງທ່ານ ແລະ ເພື່ອໃຫ້ລູກຂອງທ່ານສາມາດໄດ້ຮັບການປົກປ້ອງຈາກການຕິດເຊື້ອຫຼັງຈາກເກີດມາ. ຖ້າທ່ານອາດໄສຢູ່ນອກສະຫະຣັຖ ແລະ ບໍ່ແນ່ໃຈສະຖານະພາບຂອງໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ຂອງທ່ານ, ກະລຸນາສອບຖາມກັບໝໍຂອງທ່ານເພື່ອກວດຫາໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ຈາກທ່ານ. ຖ້າບໍ່ສາມາດສັກວັກຊີນ HBV ທັນທີຫຼັງຈາກເກີດອອກມາ ແລະ HBIG ອາດຈະເກີດຂຶ້ນໃນຜູ່ຍິງທີ່ມີ HBeAg ເປັນບວກ ແລະ ມີປະລິມານໄວຣັສ໌ຫຼາຍ, ຈະເຮັດໃຫ້ກະຈາຍໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ໄປສູ່ລູກຂອງທ່ານ. ຜູ່ຍິງທຸກຄົນທີ່ຖືກບົ່ງມະຕິພະຍາດວ່າເປັນໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ໃນເວລາຖືພາ ຄວນຈະຖືກແນະນໍາໃຫ້ເຂົ້າຮັບການດູແລຕິດຕາມຈາກແພດທີ່ມີຄວາມສາມາດໃນການຄຸ້ມຄອງການຕິດເຊື້ອໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້. ທ່ານໝໍຂອງທ່ານຄວນຈະປະຕິບັດການກວດໃນຫ້ອງທົດລອງເພີ່ມເຕີມ, ລວມທັງ ສານກະຕຸ້ນການສ້າງສານຕໍ່ຕ້ານ-ອີ ເຮປາຕິດ ບີ້ (hepatitis B e-antigen), ລະດັບຂອງ HBV DNA, ແລະ ກວດຫາໜ້າທີ່ການເຮັດວຽກຂອງຕັບ (ALT). ລະດັບຂອງໄວຣັສ໌ທີ່ສູງກວ່າ 200,000 IU/mL ຫຼື 1 ລ້ານ cp/ml ສະແດງໃຫ້ເຫັນວ່າ ອາດຈະມີລະດັບຄວາມລົ້ມເຫຼວໃນການສັງລວມການສັກວັກຊີນທັນທີຫຼັງຈາກເກີດອອກມາ ແລະ HBIG. ອາດຈະແນະນໍາໃຫ້ມີການບໍາບັດດ້ວຍຢາຕ້ານໄວຣັສ໌ແຖວໜ້າ ເພື່ອຫຼຸດຜ່ອນປະລິມານຂອງໄວຣັສ໌ກ່ອນເກີດອອກມາ. ທີໂນໂຟເວຍ໌ (Tenofovir) ສະແດງໃຫ້ເຫັນວ່າມີຄວາມປອດໄພທັງໃນເວລາຖືພາ ແລະ ໃນເວລາແມ່ໃຫ້ລູກກິນນົມ. ໃນກໍລະນີທີ່ ທີໂນໂຟເວຍ໌ (tenofovir) ບໍ່ມີປະສິດທິພາບ, ທ່ານໝໍອາດຈະຂຽນສັ່ງຢາ ເທວບີວູດີນ (telbivudine) ຫຼື ລາມີວູດີນ (lamivudine). ການປິ່ນປົວດ້ວຍຢາຕ້ານໄວຣັສເລີ່ມທີ່ 28-32 ອາທິດ ແລະ ສືບຕໍ່ອີກ 3 ເດືອນ ຫຼັງຈາກເກີດລູກ. ຂ້ອຍຕ້ອງໄດ້ຮັບການປິ່ນປົວຫຼັງຈາກຂ້ອຍອອກລູກບໍ່? ຖ້າທ່ານໝໍສັ່ງຢາຕ້ານໄວຣັສໃຫ້ທ່ານໃນເວລາຖືພາ, ທ່ານຄວນຈະໄດ້ຮັບການຕິດຕາມເບິ່ງ ALT (SGPT) ທຸກໆ 3 ເດືອນ ເປັນເວລາ 6 ເດືອນ. ສິ່ງນີ້ຈະຊ່ວຍພິຈາລະນາວ່າ ທ່ານຄວນຈະສືບຕໍ່ໄດ້ຮັບການປິ່ນປົວດ້ວຍຢາຕ້ານໄວຣັສ໌ຫຼືບໍ່. ກະລຸນາຢ່າຢຸດກິນຢາຕ້ານໄວຣັສ໌ຂອງທ່ານ ຈົນກວ່າແພດຈະແນະນໍາໃຫ້ທ່ານຢຸດ, ຊຶ່ງອີງແລ້ວແຕ່ຜົນຂອງການກວດ. ສໍາລັບຜູ່ຍິງສ່ວນໃຫຍ່ທີ່ເຫັນວ່າ ຜົນຂອງການກວດຕິດຕາມບໍ່ປະກົດເຫັນການເຄື່ອນໄຫວຂອງພະຍາດ, ແພດຂອງທ່ານຈະແນະນໍາໃຫ້ເຂົ້າຕິດຕາມຢ່າງເປັນປົກກະຕິຈາກຊ່ຽວຊານຕັບ. ໃນທຸກກໍລະນີ, ສິ່ງສໍາຄັນທີ່ສຸດແມ່ນ ແພດປະສູດຂອງທ່ານ ແລະ ແພດເບິ່ງແຍງເດັກເກີດໃໝ່ຂອງທ່ານ ຮູ້ຈັກສະພາບໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ຂອງທ່ານ ເພື່ອໃຫ້ໝັ້ນໃຈວ່າ ລູກເກີດໃໝ່ຂອງທ່ານໄດ້ຮັບວັກຊີນທີ່ເໝາະສົມໃນເວລາເກີດ ເພື່ອປ້ອງກັນການຕິດເຊື້ອໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ໃນໄລຍະຍາວ, ແລະ ທ່ານໄດ້ຮັບການດູແລຕິດຕາມຢ່າງເໝາະສົມ. ຂ້ອຍສາມາດໃຫ້ນົມລູກຂອງຂ້ອຍໃນຂະນະທີ່ຂ້ອຍມີໄວຣັສຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ໄດ້ບໍ?ຜົນປະໂຫຍດຂອງການລ້ຽງລູກດ້ວຍນົມແມ່ ເຮັດໃຫ້ມີຄວາມສ່ຽງທີ່ສໍາຄັນຕໍ່ການຕິດເຊື້ອ, ຊຶ່ງມີໜ້ອຍທີ່ສຸດ. ນອກຈາກນັ້ນ, ເນື່ອງຈາກວ່າ ເພິ່ນແນະນໍາໃຫ້ເດັກນ້ອຍເກີດໃໝ່ທຸກຄົນໄດ້ຮັບວັກຊີນຕ້ານໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ທັນທີຫຼັງຈາກເກີດມາ, ຄວາມສ່ຽງທີ່ສໍາຄັນອື່ນໆແມ່ນຈະຫຼຸດລົງ. ມີຂໍ້ມູນທີ່ສະແດງໃຫ້ເຫັນ ທີໂນໂນເວຍ໌, ຊຶ່ງອາດຈະເຮັດໃຫ້ມີການສັ່ງຈ່າຍຢາສໍາລັບຄຸ້ມຄອງໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ຊຶ່ງມີຄວາມປອດໄພສໍາລັບຜູ່ຍິງທີ່ໃຫ້ລູກກິນນົມ. Pregnancy and Hepatitis B Should I be tested for hepatitis B if I am pregnant?Yes, ALL pregnant women should be tested for hepatitis B! If you are pregnant, be sure your doctor tests you for hepatitis B before your baby is born. Why are these tests so important for pregnant women?If you test positive for hepatitis B and are pregnant, the virus can be passed on to your newborn baby during your pregnancy or during delivery. If your doctor is aware that you have hepatitis B, he or she can make arrangements to have the proper medications in the delivery room to prevent your baby from being infected. If the proper procedures are not followed, your baby has a 95% chance of developing chronic hepatitis B! Will a hepatitis B infection affect my pregnancy?A hepatitis B infection should not cause any problems for you or your unborn baby during your pregnancy. It is important for your doctor to be aware of your hepatitis B infection so that he or she can monitor your health and so your baby can be protected from an infection after it is born. If I am pregnant and have hepatitis B, how can I protect my baby?If you test positive for hepatitis B, your doctor should also test you for the hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg), and if positive, you should have a hepatitis B viral load blood test (HBV DNA quantification). In some cases, the laboratory test results may show a very high viral load. In these cases, your physician may recommend that you take an oral antiviral drug in the third trimester, which is safe to take to reduce the risk of infecting your newborn at birth. If you test positive for hepatitis B, then your newborn must be given two shots immediately in the delivery room: First dose of the hepatitis B vaccine  One dose of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) If these two medications are given correctly within the first 12 hours of life, a newborn has more than a 90% chance of being protected against a lifelong hepatitis B infection. You must make sure your baby receives the remaining 2-3 doses of the hepatitis B vaccine according to schedule. All doses must be completed in order for your infant to be fully protected against hepatitis B. It is also important that a baby born to an HBV-positive mother receive post-vaccination serologic testing at 9-12 months to confirm the baby is protected against HBV and is not infected. Tests include the HBsAg and anti-HBs titer test. There is no second chance to protect your newborn baby! Vaccination Outside the United StatesIn many countries, the pentavalent vaccine, a combination 5-in-one vaccine that protects against five diseases (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, Hib and hepatitis B) may be given to babies more than 6 weeks of age, and can be given up to 1 year of age. The first dose is given at 6 weeks, and the second and third doses are given at 10 and 14 weeks of age. The pentavalent vaccine may be made available free of charge with the support of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Check the Gavi country hub to see the resources and immunizations that may be available: http://www.gavi.org/country/. For babies born to mothers with hepatitis B, waiting for the first dose of the pentavalent vaccine is too late and will NOT protect the baby from becoming infected during birth or within the first six weeks of life. A woman who is hepatitis B positive is likely to pass the virus on to her baby, who will then be chronically infected. WHO recommends the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth for ALL babies. Plan ahead and inquire about the availability and cost of the monovalent (single), birth dose of the vaccine, as it is not a Gavi provided immunization. This is particularly important to women who are positive for hepatitis B. If you are unsure of your hepatitis B status, please be sure your doctor tests you for hepatitis B! For babies NOT receiving the pentavalent vaccine, the first dose of the monovalent, HBV vaccine must be given within 12 hours of birth, followed by the remaining 2-3 doses of the hepatitis B vaccine according to schedule. For babies receiving the pentavalent vaccine, the first, monovalent dose of the hepatitis B vaccine is given within 12 hours of birth, and the second and third doses of the HBV vaccine will be included in dose 1 and dose 2 of the pentavalent vaccine. *Note: CDC recommends both the first shot of the HBV vaccine and HBIG within 12 hours of birth. HBIG may not be available in all countries. Do I need treatment during my pregnancy?A hepatitis B infection should not cause any problems for you or your unborn baby during your pregnancy. It is important for your doctor to be aware of your hepatitis B infection so that he or she can monitor your health and so your baby can be protected from an infection after it is born. If you live outside of the U.S. and are unsure of your hepatitis B status, please ask your doctor to test you for hepatitis B. Failure of the birth dose of the HBV vaccine and HBIG may occur in women who are HBeAg positive and have a very high viral load, allowing for the transmission of hepatitis B to your baby. All women who are diagnosed with hepatitis B in pregnancy should be referred for follow up care with a physician skilled at managing hepatitis B infection. Your physician should perform additional laboratory testing, including hepatitis B e-antigen, HBV DNA level, and liver function tests (ALT). A virus level greater than 200,000 IU/mL or 1 million cp/ml indicates a level where the combination of the birth dose of the vaccine and HBIG may fail. First-line, antiviral therapy with tenofovir may be recommended to reduce the viral load prior to birth. Tenofovir has been shown to be safe both during pregnancy and for breastfeeding mothers. In cases where tenofovir is not effective, doctors may prescribe telbivudine or lamivudine. Antiviral treatment begins at 28-32 weeks and continues 3 months postpartum. Do I need treatment after my pregnancy? If you are prescribed antivirals during pregnancy, you should have your ALT (SGPT) monitored every 3 months for 6 months. This will help determine if you should continue antiviral treatment. Please do not discontinue your antiviral medication unless the doctor advises you to, based upon test results. For most women whose follow up testing shows no signs of active disease, your physician will recommend regular monitoring with a liver specialist. In all cases, it is very important that your obstetrician and your newborn’s pediatrician, are aware of your hepatitis B status to ensure that your newborn receives the proper vaccines at birth to prevent a lifelong hepatitis B infection, and that you receive appropriate follow up care. Can I breastfeed my baby if I have hepatitis B?The benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the potential risk of infection, which is minimal. In addition, since it is recommended that all infants be vaccinated against hepatitis B at birth, any potential risk is further reduced. There is data that shows that tenofovir, which may be prescribed to manage hepatitis B, is safe for breastfeeding women.

    https://www.hepb.org/languages/laotian/pregnancy/
  • Our Accomplishments

    Since 1991, the Hepatitis B Foundation has made tremendous strides  in making hepatitis B history! Below is a short list of accomplishments; you can read more in our annual reports, which are posted here. 2021 The Hepatitis B Foundation launched the first global registry of discrimination against people living with hepatitis B in May. The primary means for collecting patients’ accounts will be the Foundation's brief online survey, which will be supplemented over time with patient interviews. Please read more here. Our 30th Anniversary Celebration began officially with the annual Crystal Ball Gala in April. A highlight of the event was a video that told the story of the organization’s founding and growth, with comments from the founders themselves. Please see more here. The Foundation’s work with the House Appropriations Committee led to huge wins across the NIH, National Cancer Institute, CDC and the HHD Office of the Secretary. At the recommendation of the Foundation, the House Appropriations Committee added language that directly leads to increased research, more vaccination awareness, and efforts to address discrimination based on hepatitis B status. Please see more here. 2020 Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation continued to serve people living with hepatitis B and their caregivers worldwide by providing consultation via phone, email and social media. Our team did 9,388 consults in 2020, including an 18% increase in social media consults. We also saw 2.4 million website visits. Please read more here. In ccoperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, we hosted an Externally Led Patient-Focused Drug Development (PFDD) meeting in June that was focused on hepatitis B, which is the first time a PFDD session was dedicated to that disease. We were approved by the FDA to organize and conduct the meeting, which was online only due to COVID-19, making it the first exclusively in this format since the agency began holding PFDD meetings in 2012. The Blocks received the AASLD’s inaugural Distinguished Advocacy Service Award, which “recognizes service provided to the hepatology community over an extended period that raises awareness or garners public and federal legislative support and promotes liver health and quality patient care. 2019 HBF leads the national Coalition Against Hepatitis in People of African Origin (CHIPO founded in 2012), a community coalition of organizations to address the high rates of hepatitis B infection among African communities in the U.S. In August 2019, HBF convened the Princeton Workshop, a prestigious annual meeting bringing together some of the world’s thought leaders for highly focused discussions on strategies to treat hepatitis B and liver cancer. HBF was instrumental in creating the Congressional Viral Hepatitis Caucus, a bipartisan group of legislators committed to addressing viral hepatitis A, B and C. Since 2014, HBF has organized an annual Hepatitis B Hill Day, bringing up to 80 patient and provider advocates to Washington, D.C. to meet with legislators and discuss the need to prioritize hepatitis B and liver cancer. Our most Hep B Hill Day in July 2019 brought 73 participants, including 20 patient storytellers. 2018 Our Scientific and Medical Advisory Board made a formal recommendation that all Americans be tested for hepatitis B infection, in order to achieve the World Health Organization’s (WHO) ambitious goal of eliminating hepatitis B by the year 2030. Began collaboration with the CDC to create a broad scale educational initiative to promote hepatitis B awareness and testing for African immigrants across the US. This exciting project is the first of its kind to provide targeted materials to often-overlooked African immigrant communities. Successfully advocated for increased federal research opportunities for hepatitis B through NIH and DOD. This led to new targeted grants opportunities and an increase in grant proposals focusing on hepatitis B. Hep B United Philadelphia coalition, led by HBF, educated over 2,000 people, screened 150, and linked 90% of infected individuals to care. Four of the Blumberg Institute's promising research findings moved into clinical trials in 2018, including two for hepatitis B treatment, one for cancer treatment and one for cancer detection  2017 HBF published the "Roadmap for a Cure," a comprehensive research plan to find a cure for chronic hepatitis B and the diseases associated with it, including liver cancer. The Roadmap was developed with the input of of more than 30 of the world's leading experts on hepatitis B, and identifies the most promising areas of research and potential funding sources. HBF's #justB storytelling campaign was launched, releasing 20 unique stories of people living with or affected by hepatitis B. The campaign aims to increase awareness and reduce stigma by putting a human face on the disease. The Joan Block Improving Lives Fund was established in recognition of HBF co-founder Joan Block's enormous contributions to the world of hepatitis B. Joan retired as executive director of HBF in June 2017 after 25 years of service. Hep B United, a national coalition established by HBF in partnership with the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO), celebrated its 5th anniversary. Since 2012, Hep B United has grown to include more than 30 local coalitions across 27 cities in 24 states and the District of Columbia. 2016 HBF awarded a 5-year competitive cooperative agreement from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The new CDC grant will support its work in continuing to build the national Hep B United coalition that it established in 2012 in partnership with AAPCHO to increase screening and linkage to care rates.  HBF launched the 'HepDConnect.org' web-based program to increase awareness and provide information and support to those affected by this deadly virus, which only infects those already infected with hepatitis B. Visit hepdconnect.org HBF completed its two-year Patient Empowerment program in Haimen City, China that included more than 1,200 people chronically infected with hepatitis B who were identified in the first phase of our "Gateway to Care" campaign. Both phases were funded in part by the BMS Foundation and Haimen City CDC. HBF partnered with the Vietnam Viral Hepatitis Alliance (V-VHA) to launch a pilot a hepatitis B screening and care program in Ho Chi Minh City that has resulted in significant new funds to scale up the program. HBF medical director Dr. Robert Gish serves on the V-VHA board and is actively involved in Vietnam. HBF expanded its training programs with a Masters in Biomedical Sciences in collaboration with Geisinger Commonwealth College of Medicine, and a 6-week summer internship offered to high school students from China in partnership with the Philadelphia International Education Program.  HBF's Baruch S. Blumberg Institute recruited world-renowned cancer physician scientist, Dr. Richard G. Pestell, to join its faculty. Dr. Pestell will create and lead the Cancer and Regenerative Medicine Research Center at the Blumberg Institute.  HBF's Baruch S. Blumberg Institute scientists continue to be at the forefront of drug discovery for hepatitis B and liver cancer, as well as early detection biomarkers for primary liver cancer, the deadliest outcome of a chronic hepatitis B infection. 2015 The hepatitis B virus turns 50 this year! In February 1965, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published the first article about the Australia Antigen (now known as hepatitis B virus) by Drs. Baruch Blumberg, Harvey Alter and Sam Visnich. Dr. Blumberg won the Nobel Prize for his discovery HBF completes its first major gifts campaign  A Nobel Challenge and raises $3 million to fund its research institute, the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, to pioneer new ways to treat hepatitis B and liver cancer, the deadliest outcome of hepatitis B. HBF’s Baruch S. Blumberg Institute recruits 5 new internationally recognized scientists to work exclusively on hepatitis B research, which brings the total faculty and research staff to almost 50 people. This makes the Blumberg Institute the largest concentration of nonprofit scientists working on hepatitis B and liver cancer in the U.S. HBF outreach program reaches more than 1 million people from 200 countries through its hepb.org website; more than 6,000 people through email, phone and social media consults; and provides valuable information in 10 different languages. 2014 HBF completes publication of its Hepatitis B Screening and Monitoring Recommendations and Algorithm in the 5 major primary care medical journals ‒ J. American Academy of Physician Assistants (2014); J. Nurse Practitioners (2013); The Female Patient (2012); American J. of Medicine (2012); and the J. of Family Practice (2011) Hep B United, a national coalition created and led by HBF in partnership with AAPCHO since 2012, has grown to include 30 partners in 24 cities and 14 states across America with a collective reach to 4 million Asian Americans at increased risk for hepatitis B infection. HBF invited to join the international committee of experts to develop the World Health Organization’s first-ever published Management Guidelines for Hepatitis B. HBF’s Gateway to Care program in Haimen City, China reaches 1 million people. Results of the citywide public health campaign, supported in part by a competitive grant from the BMS Foundation, were published in BMC Public Health and presented at professional conferences. 2013 HBF renamed its research institute the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute in honor of Co-Founder Dr. Baruch Blumberg, who won the Nobel Prize for his discovery of the hepatitis B virus. For 20 years, Dr. Blumberg was a vital force in the development of the HBF and its research programs until his death in April 2011. HBF launched     www.LiverCancerConnect.org,  the first patient-focused website that provides information and support to those facing the challenge of primary liver cancer, which is the most serious consequence chronic hepatitis B. The Hep B United national coalition, created and co-chaired by HBF in partnership with AAPCHO, was approved for co-branding with the CDC’s first national Know Hepatitis B educational campaign. HBF successfully advocates for the rights of hepatitis B-infected individuals in the United States! Based on our reports to the CDC about many cases of institutional discrimination against hepatitis B infected healthcare workers and students, the CDC updated its recommendations to clearly state that hepatitis B should not prevent anyone from a healthcare career. These updated recommendations became the cornerstone of a landmark settlement by the U.S. Dept. of Justice on March 5, 2013 that officially recognizes hepatitis B as being protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 2012 HBF’s research institute represents the largest concentration of nonprofit scientists in the U.S. working on the problem of hepatitis B and liver cancer. To date, HBF’s research institute scientists are discovering new ways to attack the hepatitis B virus that could lead to promising new targets for drug discovery and an eventual cure. HBF established a new national coalition Hep B United in partnership with the Association for Asian and Pacific Community Health Organization (AAPCHO) to promote and leverage the success of community-based coalitions across the country in the fight against hepatitis B and liver cancer. HBF is helping to change clinical practice and national policy with published articles in peer-reviewed journals that highlight the underestimation and undertreatment of hepatitis B in the U.S., and the tremendous need to improve screening for this silent but deadly liver infection. 2011 Hepatitis B Foundation Celebrates 20th Anniversary Watch the short YouTube video that captures the 20 year history of the Hepatitis B Foundation through old photos and interviews with the founders and Nobel Laureate Dr. Baruch Blumberg. View now! Merck & Co. donated its entire Natural Products Collection to the HBF’s research institute that provides access to a treasure trove for potential new therapies. As many as 50% of all medicines in use today came from natural products. A major American diagnostic company licensed the use to develop HBF’s HCC biomarker in the United States for the early detection of liver cancer; this same biomarker is already being used in China. HBF established its first international public health program in Haimen City, China to conduct a citywide hepatitis B education and outreach effort for the 1 million residents. This was made possible by a 3-year competitive grant from the BMS Foundation. 2010 Groundbreaking for nine new labs to accommodate the success of research entrepreneurs and a teaching lab for young scientists occurred in June. HBF was part of the IOM Report on Hepatitis and Liver Cancer from inception to fruition by providing testimony and having three of our medical advisors play a major role in this landmark report that set the stage for how the US will manage HBV and liver cancer in the next decade. HBF was at the forefront in working with Congressional members to advocate for HR 3974, the Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Prevention and Control Act 2009, a comprehensive bill that addresses the needs of more than five million Americans living with chronic hepatitis B. 2009 The highly competitive GSK IMPACT Award and $40,000 cash prize was awarded to the HBF for its comprehensive Outreach Program that helps improve access to care. John Ellis, a 17-year old cyclist from Florida took his devastating diagnosis of hepatitis B and turned it into an awareness campaign with his Believe in the Cure Cycling Tour of 1,287 miles from Pensacola to Philadelphia and raised $50,000 towards a cure! HBF convened the first National Pediatric Hepatitis B Workshop gathering an expert panel of pediatric liver specialists to discuss the management of children with chronic hepatitis B. Recommendations were published October 5, 2009 in Pediatrics. 2008 HBF organized a historic Library of Congress Symposium on HIV and HBV during National Hepatitis B Awareness Week to address the challenges in HIV vaccine development. Dr. Andy Cuconati, head of HBF’s Drug Discovery Program discovered a new compound that specifically suppresses release of HBV from infected liver cells. The Gateway to Care and the Philadelphia Task Force on Hepatitis B was launched to improve access to care through education and free screenings.   2007 HBF becomes sponsor of International HBV Meeting. HBF High School Science Enrichment Program is established. 2006 HBF opens its new Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center of Bucks County, created and owned in partnership with Delaware Valley College. 2005 HBF provides impetus for historic advocacy successes: First-ever National HBV Act introduced in Congress; first Congressional Briefing on HBV; and first National HBV Awareness Week in May called for by Congress. 2004 HBF establishes the Institute for Hepatitis and Virus Research (now the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute), which houses the HBF labs. HBF and University of Oxford Training Program is created - one of the first of its kind in the United States. Drexel University becomes the new academic partner of the HBF. 2003 Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker presents a check for $7.9 million to HBF and Delaware Valley College to build a biotechnology research complex. HBF becomes a charter member of the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable in Washington, D.C. 2002 HBF receives a $400,000 National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant to fund a total reconstruction of its website - www.hepb.org. 2001 HBF celebrates our 10th Anniversary! HBF Co-Founders Still Working Together (2001) The past ten years have only strengthened the commitment of the HBF Founders! L to R: Tim Block, Jan Witte, Paul Witte, and Joan Block. 2000 The "Bruce Witte Research Fellowship" is established to fund a young scientist pursuing hepatitis B research. College summer research internship program is established. 6th Annual Princeton Workshop identifies "National Research Priorities for hepatitis B". 1999 $1.5 million PA state grant is received to support HBF outreach efforts, promote hepatitis research, and to conduct statewide viral hepatitis trainings. 1998 HBF offices and labs move under one roof to the new Jefferson Center for Biomedical Research, Doylestown,  1997 HBF outreach campaign results in PA Governor Tom Ridge declaring the first Hepatitis Awareness Month. O'Liver, the HBF liver mascot, makes its debut in a televised press conference on the Capitol in Harrisburg, PA HBF partners with Jefferson Medical College and Delaware Valley College to help establish a new research center in Doylestown, PA PA Governor Ridge Proclaims Hepatitis Awareness Month (1997) HBF President Joan Block (seated on right) and HBF Medical Advisor Dr. Kenneth Rothstein (standing on right) meet Governor Ridge.   Pa. Governor Ridge Proclaims Hepatitis Awareness Month (1997) HBF President Joan Block (seated on right) and HBF Medical Advisor Dr. Kenneth Rothstein (standing on right) meet Governor Ridge. 1996 The first official HBF office is opened in Jenkintown, Pa. HBF goes on-line, creates a website (www.hepb.org) and is flooded with e-mails from around the world. Many new educational materials are developed to respond to the increasing requests for information. HBF advocacy efforts result in PA legislature passing Act 15 that adds the hepatitis B vaccine to the list of immunizations required for school entry. First HBF Gala Honors Distinguished Leaders (1996) L to R: Prof. Raymond Dwek, Dr. Joseph Gonnella, Mr. Harvey Rich, Dr. Nat Brown, and U.S. Congressman James Greenwood.   1995 HBF invites 25 of the nation's leading scientists and clinicians to participate in the first Princeton Workshop, which is focused on hepatitis B therapeutic research. HBF reports that lamivudine is a promising new oral drug against hepatitis B. Scientific Leaders Attend First Princeton Workshop (1995) Sitting L to R: P. Marion, T. Block, J. Hoofnagle, F. Chisari, W. T. London, C. Rogler Standing L to R: D. Averett, D. Standring, C. Seeger, P. Cote, B. Gu, D. Ganem, R. Boehme, J. Summers, H. Isom, W. Mason, W. Gerlich, C. Young, J. O'Connell, R. Lanford, B. Rennant (missing from photo: N. Brown, L. Johnson, J. Pugh, M. Roggendorf, L. Tyrrell.)   1994 The HBF Research Lab is established at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA. Hepatitis B Foundation Lab Opens (1994) HBF Senior Scientist Dr. Xuanyong Lu (center) demonstrates technique to research associates. 1993 A PA state grant is received to produce two Emmy-nominated television Public Service Announcements to promote hepatitis B awareness. Drs. Timothy Block, Baruch Blumberg, and Raymond Dwek discover a new anti-HBV drug at Oxford University.  New Hepatitis B Drug Discovered (1993) Drs. Baruch Blumberg (right) Timothy Block (left) and Raymond Dwek (not pictured) collaborate on hepatitis B research at the University of Oxford. 1992 A PA state grant received to produce HBF video, "Someone You Know Has Hepatitis B", which includes an introduction by Dr. Nancy Snyderman of Good Morning America. The B Informed Newsletter is launched. 1991 HBF incorporates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. First public HBF fundraiser in New Hope, Pa. raises $17,000. PA State Senator Jim Greenwood introduces the Hepatitis B Prevention, Research and Treatment Act into legislature. HBF reports that interferon alpha, an injectable drug, shows promise against hepatitis B.  

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