ACIP review of the hepatitis B birth dose vaccination remains a grave concern - Please read more here.

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  • Sunshine, Vitamin D, and Hepatitis B

                    When you hear vitamin D you most notably think of the sun, or perhaps milk, or the small plastic bottles labeled with a bolded “D3” on store shelves. If you've ever been challenged by a trivia question asking what vitamin D does, you most likely know to say it helps build strong bones. In addition, vitamin D is a vital element that serves the immune, nervous and gastrointestinal systems, among our most important organs.   What you may not know about are the multiple functions vitamin D has in the body to regulate and maintain optimal health, especially for those living with chronic conditions such as hepatitis B.     The sun is the best source of vitamin D, and while everyone needs it, people living with hepatitis B need to pay extra attention to the summertime sun. Too much of a good thing can lead to harmful consequences, so it's best to be aware of some precautions. Key considerations before spending time in the sun are hydrating with water, applying sunscreen to minimize risks of sunburn and skin cancer, and understanding the impact of exposure to sunlight on your body.     Being in the sun typically makes you thirsty. Drinking water instead of beverages with high sugars such as soda, sport and energy drinks, is better for the body and doesn't leave behind any fats or byproducts that impede healthy liver function. Physicians from Mass General Brigham Hospital in Boston analyzed data from nearly 1000,000 woman and found that there may be a link between sugary drinks and liver disease (more here). The process of breaking down sugars leads to a build-up of unusable material that saturates the liver, inhibiting normal cells from growing and further exacerbating an already vulnerable liver. On average, the recommended daily water intake for women is around two liters, and for men, about three liters. While those are general guidelines, you may need more while in the hot sun. In addition to simply

    https://www.hepb.org/blog/sunshine-vitamin-d-hepatitis-b/
  • Longtime Board Chair honored by his colleagues

    Doylestown, Pa., July 14, 2022– The Hepatitis B Foundation's Board of Directors and leadership recognized Joel D. Rosen, Esq., at the board's recent meeting for his nearly two decades of service. A board member since 2003, he was chair of the board from 2009 until stepping down last month. A conference room in the new building that houses the main offices of the Hepatitis B Foundation has been named in Mr. Rosen's honor. Dr. Timothy M. Block, our founding President, now is Executive Chair of the board. Timothy M. Block, PhD, (left) Executive Chair of the Hepatitis B Foundation Board, Mr. Rosen (center) and Louis P. Kassa, III, MPA, President of the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center (PABC) and Interim Chief Executive Officer of the PABC, Hepatitis B Foundation and Blumberg Institute. The new building is on our Doylestown campus, which comprises four connected buildings on 10 acres. In addition to new labs, meeting rooms and a large event space, it provides offices for many scientists and the leadership of the Foundation, the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center (PABC) and the Blumberg Institute. The PABC is an incubator that houses the Institute’s labs and nearly 50 small companies.   

    https://www.hepb.org/news-and-events/news-2/longtime-board-chair-honored-by-his-colleagues/
  • Celebrate Mother's Day by Breaking the Cycle of Hepatitis B Transmission From Mother to Baby

    … annual number of perinatal hepatitis B cases is particularly concerning because approximately 90% of HBV-infected newborns develop chronic infection; up to 25% of these children will die of cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer later in life. Tackling Perinatal Hepatitis B To achieve the goal of eliminating perinatal HBV, the Action Plan calls for the provision of postexposure prophylaxis (i.e., hepatitis B immune globulin and hepatitis B vaccine) to all infants born to HBV-infected women, a strategy consistent with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in its “Comprehensive Immunization Strategy to Eliminate Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the United States.” This recommended treatment is to be provided within 12 hours of birth followed by timely completion of the rest of the three-dose hepatitis B vaccine series, to prevent the infant from contracting hepatitis B. The Action Plan and ACIP also observe that care coordination is needed to ensure that infants born to HBV-infected women receive the services needed to protect them against hepatitis B. A vital partner in these efforts to eliminate mother-to-infant transmission of hepatitis B is CDC’s Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program (PHBPP) which supports activities in all 50 states, six cities, and five territories. The PHBPP was established in collaboration with state/local health departments and healthcare providers to promote use of the available tools – prenatal testing and vaccines – to reduce perinatal HBV transmission. The program works to identify pregnant women who are infected and provides case management services to ensure that infants receive the appropriate vaccines after birth to help prevent perinatal transmission. This program has been successful, ensuring that 95% of the identified infants born to infected mothers and case managed by the program received hepatitis B immune globulin and the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/celebrate-mothers-day-by-breaking-the-cycle-of-hepatitis-b-transmission-from-mother-to-baby/
  • Member Organizations

    African Cultural Alliance of North America (ACANA), Philadelphia The African Cultural Alliance of North America provides a wide range of services - immigration, legal, community development and health services to mainly African and Caribbean people. Learn more at www.acanaus.org l nettiejohnson@acanaus.org l 215.729.8225 African Family Health Organization (AFAHO), Philadelphia AFAHO provides health, human and educational services to African and Caribbean people and refugees in the greater Philadelphia area. Learn more at www.afaho.org l caitlin@afaho.org l 215.546.1232 African Health Coalition, Chicago Established in 2019, African Health Coalition works to address the high rates of chronic health conditions and social determinants of health in African communities. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/Africanhealthcoalition/ l gsarumi@gmail.com l 773.396.8582 African Services Committee, New York City African Services Committee (ASC) is a non-profit human rights organization dedicated to improving the health and self-sufficiency of the African community and anyone who needs services. African Services Committee provides health, housing, legal, educational, and social services to more than 6500 newcomers each year in New York City. ASC has also worked on the frontlines of the global AIDS epidemic since 2003, operating three clinics in Ethiopia, and through advocacy and policy work in the U.S. and abroad. Learn more at www.africanservices.org | @africanservices | 212.222.3882  Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Philadelphia American Academy of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania Chapter, Media, PA Dedicated to the health and well-being of children in Pennsylvania. Learn more at www.paaap.org l smihailescu@paaap.org l 484.446.3040 American Liver Foundation ALF’s mission is to promote education, advocacy, support services, and research for the prevention, treatment and cure of liver disease. Through creativity and hard work, they provide education for liver health and prevention of liver disease to diverse populations, accelerate the pace of scientific discovery, promote quality health care, stimulate community resources and services, advocate for favorable government policies, and are the world’s best source of information about liver disease. They strive to improve quality of life while searching for cures for all people coping with these diseases. Learn more at www.liverfoundation.org l iallison@liverfoundation.org l 215.764.7060 Asian American Health Coalition/HOPE Clinic Asian Health Coalition, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago The Asian Health Coalition, established in 1996, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) with a mission to improve the health and wellness of Asian American and other ethnic minority communities through advocacy, technical assistance, community-based education, and research. Learn more at www.asianhealth.org l alia@asianhealth.org l 773.834.6599 Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas, Bronx, NY The Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), was incorporated in 1995 for educational, scientific and charitable purposes as a tax-exempt non-profit organization under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. ANPA represents the professional interests of 4,000+ physicians, dentists and allied health professionals of Nigerian birth, ethnicity or empathy in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It provides a platform for medical and scientific dialogue, on issues of health within North America, the Caribbean, and Africa, pertinent to persons of descent from the Nigerian Diaspora. With the vision of a healthier Nigeria and a healthier world, a focus on health including immigrant health, primary care and chronic diseases is key. Learn more at www.anpa.org l chinyere.anyaogu@nychhc.org Bensther Development Foundation, Enugu, Nigeria Bensther Development Foundation is a non-govermental organization focused in promoting and providing evidence-based solutions to public health problems. They work with general and key populations like PWUDs/PWIDs, inmates, and young people. They are based in Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/Bensther-Development-Foundation-674793409525430/ l benstherfoundation@gmail.com l +2348170140438 Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Viral Hepatitis Resources in African languages were developed to serve populations with high rates of hepatitis B. Learn more at https://www.cdc.gov/knowhepatitisb/materials-African.htm  Congolese Health Board - Congolese Community of Washington State The Congolese Health Board is a branch of the Congolese Community of Washington State, a 501 (c) non-profit public organization. It was formed by Congolese health professionals and volunteers concerned about health disparities disproportionately affecting Congolese and French-speaking African immigrants and refugees in Washington State. We aim to meet Congolese and Francophone immigrants' health and social needs through community engagement, empowerment, and resource connection. Learn more at https://ccwas.org/congolese-health-board | congohealthboard@gmail.com | (206)306-5432 Columbus Department of Public Health, Columbus, OH The mission of Columbus Public Health is to protect health and improve lives in their community. Learn more at https://www.columbus.gov/publichealth l oealuko@columbus.gov l 614.645.5308 Community Vision Group, Cameroon and Malawi Community Vision Group (CVG) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to a poverty-free society, where children can live to their full potential. Their vision is to help transform communities through shared responsibility. Their core program is the “Feed the Child” initiative, emerging from a deep need to meet the food security, health, nutritional, and educational needs of primary-aged children in Cameroon and Malawi. The mainstream School Feeding program is accompanied by two critical health interventions: Hepatitis B education, screening, vaccination, linkage to care, and primary eye care. Learn more at www.communityvisiongroup.org l g.miki@communityvisiongroup.org l +447453475815 Dallas/Fort Worth Hep B Free Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Philadelphia Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services (ETSS), Columbus, OH Falcons Health Foundation, Accra, Ghana Falcons Health Foundation provides urgent support, health education, general health screening, and health advocacy for people living with viral hepatitis. They provide treatment guidelines and services, and aid in prevention and awareness among individuals, groups, and large organizations. Learn more by contacting samueladdaiuhas20@gmail.com or +233540700017. Great Lakes Peace Centre, Kasese, Uganda Great Lakes Peace Centre (GLPC) comes in handy to build an enabling environment for positive peace, starting with the Rwenzori region and growing to the entire Great Lakes region. GLPC develops programs and projects that are aimed at equipping the youth and women in the area with relevant life skills, growing their capacity, and advocating for platforms where they can ably share their demands and challenges so that their voices are heard. The aims and objectives of the GLPC are: a. To support HIV/AIDs-affected families, orphans and vulnerable children and grandmothers; b. Economic empowerment and capacity-building of youth and their communities; c. Promoting good health and well-being, and fighting gender-based violence and other social evils; d. Fostering international understanding and peace-building through trainings and use of international peace figures to change mindsets of youth and women; e. Supporting the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals in the region through working with community youth groups and other groups in collaboration with international agencies. Health promotion and disease prevention are strategic objectives of the organization with a focus on communicable and non-communicable diseases, such as hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS and many viral infections, bearing in mind that the biggest challenge in tropical Africa is adoption to modern health practices and universal health coverage. Learn more at http://www.greatlakespeace.org/ l bwambalearafat@yahoo.com l +256779501921 Hep Free NYC Network - CHIPO NYC Committee Hep Free NYC's goal is to bring together NYC organizations, service providers and advocates who are dedicated to ending hepatitis B and C in African communities throughout the city. View their CHIPO-NYC Committee webpage on hepfree.nyc or email them at news@hepfree.nyc. HEP Initiative, Lusaka, Zambia HEP Initiative Zambia is a not-for-profit organization established in 2019, that specifically deals with hepatitis in Zambia by engaging Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to fight, control and prevent viral hepatitis.They engage in activities such as information, experience and medical advice sharing, and health promotion. They raise awareness of viral hepatitis, its prevention, diagnosis and treatment. They have created a platform for patients with viral hepatitis to share their experiences with the public to fight stigma and discrimination. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/Hepinitiative/ l kennedychiso@gmail.com l +260950449019 Hepatitis Alliance of Ghana, Accra, Ghana Hepatitis Alliance of Ghana (HAG) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) established and incorporated on October 31, 2016 by the Registrar General Department of Ghana. Their network comprises over 500 healthcare providers in Ghana. These professionals include physicians, nurses, midwives, physician assistants, biomedical scientists, and public health specialists. In addition, about 900 patients with hepatitis B and C are in their network. HAG provides a comprehensive range of viral hepatitis services including awareness creation, capacity building of healthcare providers, patient support services, advocacy, and hepatitis-related research. Learn more here. l hepagh1@gmail.com l +233244712071 Hepatitis B Coalition of Washington, Seattle Hepatitis B Foundation The Hepatitis B Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure and improving the quality of life for those affected by hepatitis B worldwide. Their commitment includes funding focused research, promoting disease awareness, supporting immunization and treatment initiatives, and serving as the primary source of information for patients and their families, the medical and scientific community, and the general public. Learn more at www.hepb.org l beatrice.zovich@hepb.org l 215.489.4900 Hepatitis B Initiative of Washington, D.C. (HBI‐DC) Founded in 2006 as the Hepatitis B Initiative of Washington DC, HBI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to mobilize communities to address health disparities, including preventing infectious diseases and liver cancer (by detecting HBV and HCV infections early) that affect vulnerable populations. Through collaborative partnerships, the organization provides culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach, education, screening, testing, vaccination, linkage to care, and patient navigation services for impacted communities to promote immigrant health equity. Learn more at https://hbi-dc.org/ l sandraashford@hbi-dc.org l 571.274.0021 Hepatitis Education Project, Seattle The Hepatitis Education Project offers free hepatitis B and C screening, free hepatitis A and B vaccines, medical case management for people diagnosed with hepatitis C, and harm reduction services, including a syringe service program, naloxone, and a suboxone clinic. Learn more at https://hepeducation.org/ l angelica@hepeducation.org l 206.732.0311 Horn of Africa Rescue Committee Houston Department of Health and Human Services Illinois Public Health Association, Springfield, IL The Illinois Public Health Association is the oldest and largest public health association in the state of Illinois. As one of the largest affiliates of the American Public Health Association, IPHA is widely recognized as a leader in the field of public health advocacy, health education and promotion. Learn more at https://www.ipha.com/#gsc.tab=0 l tsmith@ipha.com l 618.406.9415 International Community Health Services, Seattle Jeneso Development Initiative, Yola, Adamawa, Nigeria Jeneso Development Initiative is passionate about sensitization, screening, vaccination and treatment for hepatitis. To learn more, contact semenice0022@gmail.com l 08160587065 Maine Immigrant Access Health Network Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, MN Midwest Asian Health Association, Chicago and Aurora, IL Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL Minnesota Department of Health Montefiore Einstein Starfish Program, Bronx, NY Montefiore Medical Center is a premier academic medical center and the primary teaching hospital of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York City. Its main campus, the Henry and Lucy Moses Division, is located in the Norwood section of the northern Bronx. The Starfish Program provides care in the liver clinic, such as testing for HBV and blood pressure, and linkage to care for vulnerable communities. Learn more at www.montefiore.org l alabaran@montefiore.org l 347-899-5446 Mount Sinai Medical Center/Project HONE, New York City Hepatitis Outreach Network (HONE) is a community viral hepatitis prevention, screening and linkage to care study focused on adult minority groups in New York City who are at risk for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). HONE offers combined HBV and HCV screening at no cost at a variety of health fairs and other events throughout New York City. Learn more here or by contacting lovely.joseph@icahn.mssm.edu or 929.544.5198. Multicultural AIDS Coalition/Africans for Improved Access, Boston The organization's efforts focus on ensuring high quality, accessible HIV/STI prevention, care, and treatment services. Its mission also includes accessing vital services and research projects for African people living in the Greater Boston area. Learn more at www.mac-boston.org l aadigwe@mac-boston.org l 978.328.6017 National African Immigrant and Refugee HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Awareness (NAIRHHA) Day National African Immigrant and Refugee HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Awareness (NAIRHHA) Day is celebrated annually on September 9th. Founded by advocates in Massachusetts, Washington D.C., and New York, NAIRHHA Day has been observed annually on September 9th by communities, advocates, healthcare professionals, government officials and other stakeholders since 2014. It takes place in September because this is the month that has been designated as National African Immigrant Month (NAIM) in the United States to celebrate the diverse and remarkable contributions African immigrants have made to enrich the United States, in spheres ranging from sports to writing to politics. Learn more at www.nairhhaday.org l contactus@nairhhaday.org National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), Washington, DC NASTAD is a leading non-partisan non-profit association that represents public health officials who administer HIV and hepatitis programs in the U.S. They work to advance the health and dignity of people living with and impacted by HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, and intersecting epidemics by strengthening governmental public health through advocacy, capacity building, and social justice. Learn more at www.nastad.org l bntiri-reid@nastad.org National Organization for People Living with Hepatitis B, Kampala, Uganda The National Organization for People Living with Hepatitis B (NOPLHB) is an NGO and a registered, pioneer, non-public actor in hepatitis response in Uganda. It provides comprehensive hepatitis services, and advocacy for the rights of patients, improvement of diagnostic and clinical services, and creating awareness about the disease. NOPLHB is a member of the World Hepatitis Alliance and International Alliance of Patient Organizations (IAPO), and an associate member of the Coalition to Eradicate Viral Hepatitis in Asia Pacific (CEVHAP). NOPLHB stands out as the first and largest Non-Governmental Organization in Uganda, providing the most comprehensive hepatitis knowledge on prevention, care and support services. Learn more at www.noplhb.org l kkabagambe@noplhb.org l +256702230051 National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable, Washington, DC NVHR is a coalition of patients, health care providers, community-based organizations, and public health partners fighting for an equitable world free of viral hepatitis. Learn more at www.nvhr.org l adrienne@nvhr.org New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Viral Hepatitis Program Hepatitis B and C navigation services, clinical practice transformation, surveillance registry and more. Visit their hepatitis webpage at https://nyc.gov/health/hepatitis or email us hep@health.nyc.gov. New York City Hepatitis B Coalition - Hep Free NYC Network Founded in 2009, NYC Hep B Coalition and Hep Free NYC Network convenes NYC hep B-focused stakeholders to prevent and manage hep B in NYC. Visit the NYC Hep B Coalition webpage at hepfree.nyc. Contact us at https://hepfree.nyc/contact-us/ or email news@hepfree.nyc.  New York University School of Medicine Obala Foundation, Taunton, MA Ohio Asian American Health Coalition, Columbus, OH ONG-ADILO, Yorosso, Mali ADILO is a non-governmental organization under Malian law created on November 28th, 2018. Its goal is to contribute to the socio-economic development of the community through the implementation of local actions. The NGO-ADILO provides technical support to local and national initiatives in the following areas: Awareness raising, information, advocacy/lobbying, training, and project evaluation. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/www.adilo.co/ l amadounta@gmail.com l +22374003756 l +224627355169 Organization for Medical Outreach to Communities, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania The Organization for Medical Outreach to Communities (OMOC) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization with a purpose to save poor people who are not able to incur costs (charges) for their health when they are sick. OMOC does this because they know that the community is vulnerable and facing a lot of challenges associated with health and health education. OMOC does medical outreach to end hepatitis, non-communicable diseases, and Sefe representative health. To learn more, contact shaibuissa60@gmail.com l +255659114754 PA Immunization Coalition, Media, PA The Pennsylvania Immunization Coalition (PAIC) is an organization of volunteers consisting of individuals and organizations that have an interest in advancing the mission of timely and effective immunizations for all Pennsylvania residents. Mission: To promote timely and effective immunizations for all Pennsylvania residents across their life span. Vision: The PAIC is a diverse group of passionate, energetic, and committed partners working together to ensure that no one in Pennsylvania suffers from vaccine-preventable illnesses. PAIC believes this can be achieved through focusing efforts on education, advocacy, and access. Learn more at www.immunizepa.org l smihailescu@paaap.org l 484.446.3040 Partnerships for Health, Augusta, ME Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) The viral hepatitis program at PDPH provides surveillance for hepatitis B and C. Learn more at www.phillyhepatitis.com l melissa.hobkirk@phila.gov l 717.644.2741 Philadelphia Department of Public Health - Immunization Program The Philadelphia Immunization Program keeps Philadelphia healthy by averting vaccine-preventable diseases and increasing immunization coverage across the city. As part of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health Division of Disease Control, the program is federally funded to oversee the government purchase and local distribution of vaccines. By monitoring the use of these vaccines, it helps providers maintain their vaccination inventory. Learn more at https://vax.phila.gov/ l kenya.mack@phila.gov l 215.792.3254 Rise Against Hepatitis Global Initiative, Nigeria Rise Against Hepatitis Global Initiative (RAHGI) is a non-profit organization that works to prevent liver cancer caused by hepatitis among people around the globe by employing the strategy of awareness and sensitization, testing, vaccination and treatment. RAHGI was created to combat the rejection and discrimination of people living with hepatitis, the ignorance of the existence of the virus, level of transference and its silent destruction of life. To learn more, contact riseagainsthepatitis.gi22@gmail.com l 08136660683 Somali Family Safety Task Force, Seattle The Somali Family Safety Task Force is a nonprofit community-based organization (CBO) located in the NewHolly neighborhood in Seattle, WA that serves refugee and immigrant women and their families. The Somali Family Safety Task Force is not only is  community-based, but also community-driven. The founders, as well as the majority of the staff and volunteers are Somali and East African. The programs are created with input from the community, often at their request. Programs range from computer literacy training to combating and preventing gender-based-violence. The Somali Family Safety Task Force takes pride in being an organization by and for the community. Learn more at www.somalifamilysafetytaskforce.org l farhiya@sfstf.org l 206.659.4755 Sustainable Impact Makers International, Inc., Bronx, NY  Sustainable Impact Makers International's mission is to educate, mobilize, empower, enable, and be a resource to communities in the challenge of fighting poverty and other health disparities. Learn more at www.sim.int.org | Contact Evelyn Botwe | info@sim.int.org St. Catherine University Public Health Department, St. Paul, MN https://www.stkate.edu/academics/hssh/public-health-department l lmunala@stkate.edu l 651.690.6265 United States Coalition for African Immigrant Health (USCAIH), Maryland The United States Coalition for African Immigrant Health (USCAIH) began as the National African Immigrant Project (NAIP) in 2005 under the auspices of the U.S. Office of Minority Health. USCAIH was originally established to provide a platform for national and regional conferences on African immigrant health. Each of these conferences successfully attracted state and federal agencies, clinicians, academics, students and other stakeholders working with the African Immigrant (AI) population. In 2021, USCAIH further expanded its mission by establishing itself as a coalition in order to provide a broader platform for engaging stakeholders interested in the African diaspora. Learn more at https://www.uscaih.org/ l uscaih@uscaih.org University of Maryland School of Medicine

    https://www.hepb.org/research-and-programs/chipo/member-organizations/
  • Justice Department Settles with the UMDNJ Over Discrimination Against People with Hepatitis B

    … provide ADA training to their employees and provide the applicants a total of $75,000 in compensation and tuition credits. Both of the applicants in this matter come from the Asian American Pacific Islander community. The CDC reports that Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) make up less than 5 percent of the total population in the United States, but account for more than 50 percent of Americans living with chronic Hepatitis B.   Nearly 70 percent of AAPIs living in the United States were born, or have parents who were born, in countries where hepatitis B is common. Most AAPIs with Hepatitis B contracted Hepatitis B during childbirth .   The Civil Rights Division is committed to ensuring that this community is not subjected to discrimination because of disability. Title II of the ADA prohibits state and local government entities, like the UMDNJ, from discriminating against individuals with disabilities in programs, services, and activities. State and local governments must also make reasonable modifications in policies, practices, and procedures when the modifications are necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability, unless those modifications would result in a fundamental alteration. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at the website www.justice.gov/crt.  More information about the ADA and today’s agreement with UMDNJ can be accessed at the ADA website at www.ada.gov or by calling the toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TTY).          

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/justice-department-settles-with-the-umdnj-over-discrimination-against-people-with-hepatitis-b/
  • Update on the Adoption of a Waiting Child with Hepatitis B

    We are very pleased to share a very special update on the status of William, a waiting child  living with chronic hepatitis B, who captured the hearts of the Hepatitis B Foundation staff. This update comes from Nathalie, Adoption Advocacy Director at An Orphan’s Wish... “I am thrilled to report that William is in the process of being adopted by his forever family, where he will join his new, wonderful Mom and Dad and his two-new sisters. William’s youngest sister is also adopted from China. When William’s mother contacted An Orphan’s Wish to inquire about him, she had some questions about the implications of daily living with an HBV positive child, and how it affects the child’s life and the life of other family members. The information the Hepatitis B Foundation provided was extremely helpful in answering the family’s questions, and in providing them with enough knowledge to ask informed questions of health care providers. Information provided by the Hepatitis B Foundation allowed this prospective family to have peace of mind about William’s hepatitis B diagnosis, realizing that it is a manageable chronic condition. This enabled them to focus on the specifics of William rather than his HBV. William’s family very quickly responded with more questions for me about his personality, his likes and his dislikes, his dreams and his hopes, rather than focusing on his HBV. They were adopting a son they were thrilled to parent, and thought little of his HBV diagnosis. As an adoption advocate, the information provided by the Hepatitis B Foundation has been invaluable in educating me about hepatitis B, and HBV positive children. I feel that I have a much better understanding of this chronic condition, and I am in a much better position to answer questions from families considering the adoption of an HBV positive child. I will continue to refer families inquiring about hepatitis B positive children to the Hepatitis B Foundation. They are a wonderful resource!

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/1747-2/
  • Create, Submit, & Win The B A Hero PSA Video Contest! Help Raise HBV Awareness!

    Hep B Free Philadelphia “B A Hero” PSA Video Contest 2012 Channel your creativity and skills for a good cause and win prizes! Raise HBV awareness!   Hep B Free Philadelphia and Hepatitis B Foundation invite you to create a 30-second Public Service Announcement (PSA) to raise awareness about hepatitis B. Finalists will receive prize money and the winner’s PSA will be shown at Hep B Free Philadelphia’s annual media event as well as ** drum rolls** the 2012 Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival! Thousands will get to see your creative brainchild! Hepatitis B is a serious infection that affects about 2 million people in the United States. About 1 in 10 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are chronically infected—with African immigrants approaching a similar ratio as well. About 1 in 4 of the chronically infected individuals will die of liver cancer or cirrhosis. Many infected individuals are not aware of their status because hepatitis B doesn’t usually produce symptoms for decades, and when the symptoms start showing it is often too late for treatment—it is a silent killer! Help us raise awareness by entering the “B A Hero” PSA Video Contest and submitting a PSA made by you! Videos should highlight hepatitis B and include the “B A Hero” theme. 5 Easy Steps: 1. Make a 30-second video to raise awareness and B a hero 2. Check the fact sheet below to make sure all your HBV information is correct 3. Submit the PSA through Facebook 4. Get all your friends to vote for your PSA 5. Win prizes and B famous! Submission deadlines: Round 1 – February 17 Round 2 – March 16 Round 3 – April 13 Register NOW at Hep B Free Philadelphia’s Facebook Page!! Submissions can also be emailed toPSAContest@hepb.org. For the official contest guidelines, please click here For the hepatitis B fact sheet, please click here Questions? Please contact Hep B Free Philadelphia program manager Daniel Chen at Daniel.chen@hepb.org Three finalists will win $100

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/create-submit-win-the-b-a-hero-psa-video-contest-help-raise-hbv-awareness/
  • Dr. Richard G. Pestell Joins the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute

    Dr. Pestell will establish the new Pennsylvania Cancer and Regenerative Medicine Research Center  DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (January 2017) – World-renowned cancer physician scientist Richard G. Pestell, M.D., Ph.D., has joined the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute to serve as President of the Pennsylvania Cancer and Regenerative Medicine Research Center (PCARM). Seven additional faculty with their staff and students also will be joining the new center. Pestell’s research in cell cycle, prostate cancer, oncology and stem cells is highly cited; he is ranked first in the world by Google scholar citations in cell cycle and prostate cancer, and second in the world for oncology. Pestell is funded by more than $1 million each year in grant support from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and the Falk Foundation. He is the recipient of numerous national and international awards and recognitions, including election as Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science. Pestell previously was Director of the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center and Executive Vice President at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.Under his tenure, the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center received renewed National Cancer Institute funding and designation twice and the oncology US News ranking rose to #17. Dr. Pestell praised TJU Board President Rick Hevner and TJU President Dr. Steve Klasko for their support. Prior to 2005, Pestell was the Director of the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and Chairman of the Department of Oncology at Georgetown University. “The Pennsylvania Cancer and Regenerative Medicine Research Center will function as a hub-and-spoke model for regenerative medical inquiry, spearheading research and collaborating with similar centers around the country and the world,”said Pestell. “Recent breakthroughs in cancer immune therapy have resulted in new biotechnology companies and value for patient’s lives. New discoveries in regenerative medicine are at a similar discovery tipping point. The interface between cancer, stem cells, and regeneration is at an historic moment. Creating a culture in which biotechnology companies are a vehicle to unlock value is key to bringing benefits rapidly to our patients. The Blumberg Institute, under its president, Dr. Tim Block, has a remarkable track record of success in developing companies that rapidly translate urgently needed medical discoveries into clinical practice. The new building planned as part of an expansion of the center will provide further critical mass for these efforts.” “Dr. Pestell’s recruitment will go a long way toward helping us achieve our goal of finding a cure for diseases associated with hepatitis B and liver cancer,” said Timothy Block, Ph.D., president of the Hepatitis B Foundation, the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, and the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, where both are headquartered. “His research complements the work conducted at the Blumberg Institute, which was established in 2003 by the Hepatitis B Foundation to find a cure for hepatitis B and liver cancer, which is caused primarily by hepatitis B and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide.” “Congratulations to the Blumberg Institute for the recruitment of Richard Pestell, a leading cancer scientist and physician,” said Arnie Levine, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor (Emeritus), Institute for Advanced Studies, Princeton, past President, Rockefeller University, member U.S. National Academy of Sciences. “This will go a long way toward strengthening the Blumberg Institute’s oncology programs.” “This is an important recruitment for the Blumberg Institute and a testament to its growing prominence as a leading entrepreneurial research environment,” said Thomas Shenk, Ph.D., member of the Blumberg Institute Board of Directors, Elkins Professor of Molecular Biology at Princeton University, and member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. “Dr.Pestell is a highly accomplished cancer research scientist who will bring a wealth of knowledge and resources to the Institute.” In addition to leading PCARM at the Blumberg Institute, Pestell will oversee ProstaGene, one of the biotechnology companies he founded. ProstaGene has patented discoveries for cancer metastasis therapies and a highly predictive genetic test for prostate cancer outcome.The company’s prognostic test for prostate cancer showed dramatic improvement over current technologies in three clinical studies. ProstaGene’s patented therapeutic use for cancer metastasis showed dramatic preclinical efficacy. Clinical trials are currently underway. The company is being moved to the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, a biotech incubator in Doylestown that is managed and owned by the Blumberg Institute and Hepatitis B Foundation; 35 other start-up life science companies also are housed at the center. “The Blumberg Institute is the ideal place for scientists to move their discoveries from bench to bedside, with a strong track record of supporting academic entrepreneurship,” said Pestell. “With the Biotech Center’s unique entrepreneurial structure, important research and new businesses based around that work have fertile ground in which to grow.” “As a scientist and member of the board of directors of the Blumberg Institute, I am delighted that Dr. Richard Pestell will be joining the faculty,” said W. Thomas London, M.D., vice-president of the board for both the Hepatitis B Foundation and the Blumberg Institute, and professor emeritus of Fox Chase Cancer Center. “As a prominent cancer researcher, he will broaden the scope and strengthen our research program.” “Dr. Pestell and his colleagues bring a wealth of ideas and resources to the Blumberg Institute, and reinforce a faculty that has already proven itself in entrepreneurial science. This is a huge vote of confidence in the biotechnology center model of bringing nonprofit organizations and start-up life science companies together that will help advance our mission, and benefit the entire cancer community,”said Block. Pestell has published more than 600 works and is the most frequently cited scientist in his fields of cell-cycle and prostate cancer.He has been the reviewer of 18 scientific journals, has served on editorial boards of six journals and has founded several biotechnology companies. He serves as an advisor and reviewer for a number of domestic and international research centers, including NCI cancer centers. The arrival of Pestell and his research team comes at an opportune time, as the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center proceeds with plans to break ground for a $10.6 million expansion. The project will add 50,000 square feet of additional space, including at least 40 offices, 18 laboratories, a new auditorium, a new cafeteria, and 100 parking spaces. About Richard Pestell M.D., Ph.D.: Originally from Perth, Australia, Pestell holds a medical degree from the University of Western Australia, and a Ph.D. from the University of Melbourne, Howard Florey Institute. He conducted clinical training in oncology and endocrinology and was inducted as a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Physicians. His postdoctoral research at the Harvard School of Medicine and Massachusetts General Hospital with Dr. Larry Jameson focused on endocrine oncology. He completed his executive MBA from New York University Stern School of Business in 2011. He has received many awards for his research discoveries including elected membership to ASCI (American Society of Clinical Investigation), Elected Member, Royal Society of Medicine, the RD Wright Medallion, Elected Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Eric Susman Prize in Medicine, Advance Global Australian Award (Biotechnology), a Doctor of Medical Sciences, HonorisCausa, from the University of Melbourne, and awards from Susan G. Komen (Light of Life award, Jamie Brooke Lieberman Award). He has several issued patents in biotechnology, diagnostics and cancer therapeutics. About the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute: The Baruch S. Blumberg Institute is an independent, nonprofit research institute established in 2003 by the Hepatitis B Foundation to conduct discovery research and nurture translational biotechnology in an environment conducive to interaction, collaboration and focus. It was renamed in 2013 to honor Baruch S. Blumberg, who won the Nobel Prize for his discovery of the hepatitis B virus and co-founded the Hepatitis B Foundation. To learn more, visit  www.blumberginstitute.org. 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 http://hepb.org/blog, follow us on Twitter @HepBFoundation, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hepbfoundation or call 215-489-4900. 

    https://www.hepb.org/news-and-events/news-2/dr-richard-g-pestell-joins-the-baruch-s-blumberg-institute/
  • HIV/AIDS Coinfection

    Approximately 10% of the HIV-infected population worldwide is infected with hepatitis B. This figure may approach 20% in Southeast Asia, and 5% in North America and Western Europe.  Worldwide prevalence of HBV coinfection could be estimated to be 5%–10% in persons living with HIV infection. In the U.S., Western Europe and Australia, the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B was reported to be 5%-14% among HIV-positive individuals. Since both HIV and the hepatitis B virus share similar transmission routes, it is not surprising that there is a high frequency of coinfection. Both viruses can be transmitted from mother-to-baby during childbirth (due to blood exchange from mother to baby), through unsafe medical and injection practices, and unscreened blood transfusions. Sexual activity and/or injection drug use are other common routes of transmission of the hepatitis B virus among those also infected with HIV. While highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has dramatically improved the lives of those with HIV, the consequences of associated illnesses such as hepatitis B coinfections have become more relevant. Conditions associated with hepatitis B and C are currently among the leading causes of hospital admission and death in the HIV-infected population. Therefore, the adequate management of hepatitis B and C is now being considered a priority in HIV-coinfected patients. There are three main reasons for considering HBV therapy as a priority in HBV/HIV coinfected patients: First, liver disease may progress more rapidly in those patients co-infected with HBV/HIV and could lead to serious liver disease complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer at younger ages. Second, there is a higher risk of developing hepatotoxicity following the initiation of antiretroviral therapy in HIV patients co-infected with HBV than in patients infected with HIV alone. Hepatitis B in HIV-infected patients is associated with a lower CD4 T-cell count than HIV-monoinfected people. There is no evidence that hepatitis B affects HIV disease progression or that hepatitis B alters the response of HIV to antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, starting ART may be associated with an increased risk of liver inflammation in coinfected individuals, as evidenced by ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) flares or rising liver enzymes. This may reflect both an immune response against hepatitis B and/or drug toxicity. For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website to learn about HIV/AIDS and Viral Hepatitis guidelines and resources.

    https://www.hepb.org/what-is-hepatitis-b/hivaids-co-infection/

  • ການປ້ອງກັນ ແລະ ການສັກວັງຊີນ  ຂ້ອຍສາມາດໄດ້ຮັບໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ໄດ້ແນວໃດ?ໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ແມ່ນພະຍາດຕິດເຊື້ອອັນໜຶ່ງທີ່ເກີດຈາກໄວຣັສ໌ໂດຍການຕິດຕໍ່ທາງເລືອດ. ລາຍລະອຽດລຸ່ມນີ້ແມ່ນຮູບແບບທີ່ໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ສາມາດຕິດຕໍ່ກັນໄດ້: ສໍາພັດໂດຍກົງກັບເລືອດ ຫຼື ຂອງແຫຼວໃນຮ່າງກາຍ  ຈາກແມ່ທີ່ຕິດເຊື້ອສົ່ງໃຫ້ລູກເກີດໃໝ່ໂດຍການຖືພາ ຫຼື ອອກລູກ  ມີເພດສໍາພັນກັບຄູ່ນອນທີ່ຕິດເຊື້ອ  ໃຊ້ເຂັມສັກຢາຮ່ວມກັນ ຫຼື ເຂັມມືສອງ (ຕົວຢ່າງ: ສັກຢາທີ່ຜິດກົດໝາຍຮ່ວມກັນ ຫຼື ໃຊ້ເຂັມມືສອງທີ່ບໍ່ໄດ້ຂ້າເຊື້ອດ້ວຍຢາຢ່າງເໝາະສົມ, ຝັງເຂັມ, ສັກລາຍ, ຫຼື ແທງຫູ/ຮ່າງກາຍ)  ບໍ່ຂ້າເຊື້ອອຸປະກອນການແພດ ຫຼື ເຂັມສັກຢາທີ່ອາດຈະໃຊ້ໂດຍໝໍເຖື່ອນ, ທັນຕະແພດ ຫຼື ຊ່າງຕັດຜົມ   ໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ຈະສາມາດສົ່ງຕໍ່ໃຫ້ຄົນອື່ນໄດ້ບາງຄັ້ງຄາວບ?ບໍ່, ໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ບໍ່ສາມາດຕິດຕໍ່ຜ່ານການສໍາພັດບາງຄັ້ງຄາວ. ທ່ານບໍ່ສາມາດໄດ້ຮັບເຊື້ອໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ຈາກອາກາດ, ການກອດ, ການສໍາພັດ, ການຈາມ, ການໄອ, ບ່ອນນັ່ງຊັກໂຄກ ຫຼື ຈັບລູກບິດປະຕູ. ທ່ານບໍ່ສາມາດໄດ້ຮັບເຊື້ອໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ຈາກການກິນ ຫຼື ການດື່ມກັບຜູ່ທີ່ຕິດເຊື້ອ ຫຼື ຈາກການກິນອາຫານທີ່ແຕ່ງໂດຍຜູ່ເປັນໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້. ໃຜແດ່ທີ່ມີແນວໂນ້ມໄດ້ຮັບເຊື້ອຈາກໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ຫລາຍທີ່ສຸດ?ເຖິງວ່າທຸກຄົນມີຄວາມສ່ຽງໄດ້ຮັບໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້, ແຕ່ຍັງມີບາງຄົນທີ່ມີແນວໂນ້ມຈະໄດ້ຮັບການຕິດເຊື້ອ. ວຽກຂອງທ່ານ, ການໃຊ້ຊີວິດ ຫຼື ເດັກນ້ອຍທີ່ຫາກໍ່ເກີດຈາກຄອບຄົວທີ່ມີໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ສາມາດເພີ່ມໂອກາດໃນການຕິດເຊື້ອ. ນີ້ແມ່ນຮູບແບບທີ່ເກີດຂຶ້ນເປັນປະຈໍາໃນກຸ່ມ “ທີ່ມີຄວາມສ່ຽງສູງ” -- ແຕ່ຈົ່ງຈື່ໄວ້ວ່າ ບໍ່ມີຊື່ທັງໝົດ: ຜູ່ທີ່ແຕ່ງງານ ຫຼື ອາໃສຢ່າງໃກ້ຊິດຢູ່ໃນຄົວເຮືອນທີ່ມີຄົນເປັນໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້. ສິ່ງດັ່ງກ່າວນີ້ປະກອບດ້ວຍຜູ່ໃຫຍ່ ແລະ ເດັກນ້ອຍ. ຜູ່ທີ່ເກີດຢູ່ໃນປະເທດທີ່ມີຄົນເປັນໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ຫຼາຍ, ຫຼື ພໍ່ແມ່ເກີດຢູ່ໃນປະເທດທີ່ມີຄົນເປັນໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ຫຼາຍ (ອາຊີ, ບາງເຂດໃນອາຟຣິກາ ແລະ ອາເມລິກາໃຕ້, ຢູໂຣບຕາເວັນອອກ ແລະ ຕາເວັນອອກກາງ).  ຜູ່ທີ່ອາໃສຢູ່ໃນ ຫຼື ເດີນທາງໄປປະເທດທີ່ມີຄົນເປັນໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ຫຼາຍ (ອາຊີ, ບາງເຂດໃນອາຟຣິກາ ແລະ ອາເມລິກາໃຕ້, ຢູໂຣບຕາເວັນອອກ ແລະ ຕາເວັນອອກກາງ). ໄວໜຸ່ມ ແລະ ໄວລຸ້ນ ທີ່ມີເພດສໍາພັນຫຼາຍເກີນໄປ  ຜູ່ຊາຍມີເພດສໍາພັນກັບຜູ່ຊາຍ  ເດັກນ້ອຍທີ່ເກີດຈາກແມ່ທີ່ຕິດເຊື້ອ  ພະນັກງານດູແລສຸຂະພາບ ແລະ ຄົນອື່ນໆທີ່ມີອາຊີບທີ່ຕ້ອງສໍາພັດກັບເລືອດ. ຜູ່ທີ່ເຮັດວຽກກ່ຽວກັບໜ່ວຍງານສຸກເສີນ  ຄົນເຈັບທີ່ໄດ້ຮັບການຟອກຫມາກໄຂ່ຫລັງ ຜູ່ອາໄສ ແລະ ພະນັກງານ ໃນກຸ່ມບ້ານ, ສະຖາບັນ ຫຼື ບັນດາສູນແກ້ໄຂ ຜູ່ໄດ້ຮັບການຖ່າຍເລືອດກ່ອນປີ 1992 ຫຼື ຜູ່ໄດ້ຮັບເລືອດທີ່ບໍ່ຖືກກວດວິເຄາະຢ່າງເໝາະສົມ ຜູ່ສັກຢາເສບຕິດ, ໃນອະດີດ ແລະ ປັດຈຸບັນ  ຜູ່ສັກລາຍ ຫຼື ຖືກແທງເຂົ້າຮ່າງກາຍ  ຜູ່ທີ່ໃຊ້ບໍລິການຈາກໝໍເຖື່ອນ, ໝໍປົວແຂ້ວ ຫຼື ຊ່າງຕັດຜົມ   ວັກຊີນທີ່ແນະນໍາໃຫ້ສໍາລັບໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ແມ່ນມີຫຍັງແດ່? ວັກຊີນໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ຄວນຈະຕ້ອງສັກໃຫ້ເດັກນ້ອຍເກີດໃໝ່ ແລະ ເດັກນ້ອຍທຸກຄົນຈົນຮອດອາຍຸ 18 ປີ ໂດຍ WHO ແລະ U.S. ສູນຄວບຄຸມ ແລະ ປ້ອງກັນພະຍາດ (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – CDC) ຂອງສະຫະຣັຖ. CDC ຍັງແນະນໍາວ່າ ໄວໜຸ່ມໃນກຸ່ມຄົນທີ່ມີຄວາມສ່ຽງສູງຕ້ອງໄດ້ຮັບວັກຊີນ.ວັກຊີນໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ແມ່ນວັກຊີນທີ່ປອດໄພ ແລະ ມີປະສິດທິພາບ ຊຶ່ງແນະນໍາໃຫ້ສໍາລັບເດັກນ້ອຍເກີດໃໝ່ ແລະ ເດັກນ້ອຍທີ່ອາຍຸຮອດ 18 ປີ. ວັກຊີນໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ຍັງແນະນໍາໃຫ້ແກ່ໄວໜຸ່ມທີ່ເປັນເບົາຫວານ ແລະ ຜູ່ທີ່ມີຄວາມສ່ຽງໄດ້ຮັບເຊື້ອສູງຍ້ອນວຽກງານ, ການໃຊ້ຊີວິດຂອງພວກເຂົາ, ສະພາບໃນການດໍາລົງຊີວິດ ຫຼື ປະເທດທີ່ເກີດ. ເນື່ອງຈາກວ່າທຸກຄົນແມ່ນມີຄວາມສ່ຽງ, ໄວໜຸ່ມທຸກຄົນຄວນຈະໄດ້ຮັບວັກຊີນໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ຢ່າງເອົາຈິງເອົາຈັງ ເພື່ອປ້ອງກັນພະຍາດຕັບຊໍາເຮື້ອຕະຫຼອດຊີວິດ. ວັກຊີນໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ປອດໄພບໍ? ແມ່ນ, ວັກຊີນໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ແມ່ນປອດໄພ ແລະ ມີປະສິດທິພາບທີ່ສຸດ. ຄວາມຈິງແລ້ວ, ມັນແມ່ນ “ວັກຊີນຕ້ານມະເຮັງ” ສິ່ງທໍາອິດ ຍ້ອນວ່າມັນສາມາດປົກປ້ອງທ່ານຈາກໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້, ຊຶ່ງເປັນສາຍເຫດທີ່ເຮັດໃຫ້ເກີດມະເຮັງຕັບທຸກຊະນິດໃນໂລກໄດ້ເຖິງ 80%. ດ້ວຍການສັກຢາວັກຊີນຫຼາຍກວ່າໜຶ່ງຕື້ເຂັມທົ່ວໂລກ, ການສຶກສາດ້ານການແພດ ແລະ ວິທະຍາສາດ ໄດ້ສະແດງໃຫ້ເຫັນວ່າ ວັກຊີນໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ແມ່ນວັກຊີນທີ່ປອດໄພທີ່ສຸດທີ່ເຄີຍເຮັດມາ. ຂ້ອຍສາມາດໄດ້ຮັບເຊື້ອໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ຈາກການສັັກວັກຊີນບໍ?ບໍ່, ທ່ານບໍ່ສາມາດໄດ້ຮັບໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ຈາກການສີດວັກຊີນ. ວັກຊີນຜະລິດມາຈາກຜະລິດຕະພັນຍີສ໌ສັງເຄາະໃນຫ້ອງທົດລອງ. ຜົນກະທົບຂ້າງຄຽງທີ່ພົບເຫັນເລື້ອຍໆແມ່ນເປັນຜື່ນແດງ ແລະ ເຈັບປວດຢູ່ໃນແຂນບ່ອນທີ່ສັກຢາ. ຕາຕະລາງນັດສັກວັກຊີນໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ແມ່ນແນວໃດ?ວັກຊີນໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ແມ່ນມີຢູ່ຫ້ອງການຂອງແພດຂອງທ່ານ ແລະ ພະແນກ ຫຼື ຄລີິນິກດູແລສຸຂະພາບປະຈໍາທ້ອງຖິ່ນ. ວັກຊີນໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ແມ່ນສັກສາມຄັ້ງ, ເຖິງຢ່າງໃດກໍ່ຕາມ ກໍ່ມີວິທີການສັກວັກຊີນເລັ່ງລັດ ເຊິ່ງແມ່ນສອງຄັ້ງສໍາລັບໄວລຸ້ນອາຍຸ 11 ຫາ 15 ປີ, ແລະ ສັກວັກຊີນ 2-ຄັ້ງ ຜ່ານການຮັບຮອງຈາກ ອົງການອາຫານແລະຢາ (Food and Drug Administration (FDA)) ຂອງສະຫະຣັຖ ສໍາລັບຄົນໜຸ່ມໃນປີ 2017. ສິ່ງສໍາຄັນແມ່ນໃຫ້ຈື່ວ່າ ເດັກນ້ອຍເກີດໃໝ່ຕ້ອງໄດ້ຮັບວັກຊີນໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ຄັ້ງທໍາອິດໃນຫ້ອງອອກລູກ ຫຼື ພາຍໃນ 12 ຊົ່ວໂມງຫຼັງຈາກເກີດອອກມາ. ສີດວັກຊີນເຂັມທໍາອິດ ໃນເວລາໃດກໍ່ໄດ້, ແຕ່ເດັກນ້ອຍເກີດໃໝ່ຄວນຈະໄດ້ຮັບການສັກຢາໃນຫ້ອງອອກລູກ ເຂັມທີສອງ - ຢ່າງໜ້ອຍໜຶ່ງເດືອນ (ຫຼື 28 ວັນ) ຫຼັງຈາກສັກຢາເຂັມທໍາອິດ ເຂັມທີສາມ - ຫົກເດືອນຫຼັງຈາກເຂັມທີໜຶ່ງ (ຫຼື ຢ່າງໜ້ອຍ 2 ເດືອນ ຫຼັງຈາກສັກຢາ ຄັ້ງທີສອງ) ອາດຈະເປັນຢ່າງໜ້ອຍ 16 ອາທິດໃນລະຫວ່າງເຂັມທໍາອິດ ແລະ ເຂັມທີ 3 . ຖ້າຕາຕະລາງການນັດໝາຍສັກວັກຊີນຂອງທ່ານຊັກຊ້າ, ທ່ານບໍ່ຈໍາເປັນຕ້ອງເລີ່ມສັກໃໝ່, ທ່ານສາມາດສືບຕໍ່ຈາກເຂັມທີ່ທ່ານໄດ້ສັກໄປ - ເຖິງວ່າເຂັມທີ່ສັກໄປແລ້ວນັ້ນແມ່ນຫຼາຍປີມາແລ້ວກໍຕາມ. ເພື່ອໃຫ້ແນ່ໃຈວ່າທ່ານໄດ້ຮັບການປົກປ້ອງຈາກໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້, ຈົ່ງສອບຖາມການກວດເລືອດທົ່ວໄປ ເພື່ອກວດຫາລະດັບ “ສານຕໍ່ຕ້ານໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ໃນຮ່າງກາຍ” (HBsAb) ເພື່ອຢັ້ງຢືນວ່າ ການສັກວັກຊີນປະສົບຜົນສໍາເລັດຫຼືບໍ່. ຂ້ອຍສາມາດເຮັດຫຍັງແດ່ໃນການປົກປ້ອງຕົວເອງຈາກການຕິດເຊື້ອໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້?ເນື່ອງຈາກວ່າ ໄວຣັສ໌ຕັບອັກເສບບີ້ ສາມາດຕິດຕໍ່ຜ່ານທາງກະແສເລືອດ ແລະ ທາດແຫຼວໃນຮ່າງກາຍທີ່ຕິດເຊື້ອ, ມີສິ່ງຕ່າງໆທີ່ງ່າຍດາຍຊຶ່ງທ່ານສາມາດເຮັດໃຫ້ເພື່ອປ້ອງກັນທ່ານຈາກການຕິດເຊື້ອທີ່ອາດຈະເກີດຂຶ້ນໄດ້ ຈົນກວ່າການສັກວັກຊີນຈະສຳເລັດສົມບູນ ດັ່ງຕໍ່ໄປນີ້: ຫຼີກລ່ຽງການສໍາພັດເລືອດ ຫຼື ຂອງແຫຼວຈາກຮ່າງກາຍຂອງຜູ່ອື່ນໂດຍກົງ  ໃຊ້ຖົງຢາງອານາໄມກັບຄູ່ຮ່ວມເພດ  ຫຼີກລ່ຽງຢາຜິດກົດໝາຍ ແລະ ການໃຊ້ຢາສັ່ງແບບຜິດວິທີ, ລວມທັງ ການສັກຢາເຫຼົ່ານັ້ນ  ຫຼີກລ່ຽງການໃຊ້ຂອງແຫຼມຮ່ວມກັນ ເຊັ່ນ: ມີດແຖໜວດ, ແປງຖູແຂ້ວ, ຕຸ້ມຫູ ແລະ ມີດຕັດເລັບ  ຈົ່ງແນ່ໃຈວ່າ ເຂັມສັກຢາ ແລະ ອຸປະກອນທີ່ໃຊ້ສໍາລັບປີ່ນປົວ, ເຄື່ອງມືຂອງທັນຕະແພດ, ການຝັງເຂັມ, ສັກລາຍ, ການແທງຫູ ແລະ ແທງຕາມຮ່າງກາຍແມ່ນໄດ້ຂ້າເຊື້ອ  ໃສ່ຖົງມື ແລະ ໃຊ້ນໍ້າຢາລ້າງບາດສົດ ແລະ ນໍ້າ ເພື່ອອະນາໄມເລືອດທີ່ຍ້ອຍ  ລ້າງມືຂອງທ່ານໃຫ້ສະອາດດ້ວຍສະບູ ແລະ ນໍ້າໃຫ້ທົ່ວ ຫຼັງຈາກສໍາພັດ ຫຼື ອະນາໄມເລືອດ  ສິ່ງສໍາຄັນທີສຸດ, ຈົ່ງແນ່ໃຈວ່າ ທ່ານໄດ້ຮັບວັກຊີນຕັບອັກເສບ ບີ້! Prevention and Vaccination How can I get hepatitis B?Hepatitis B is an infectious disease caused by a virus that is spread through blood. Listed below are the most common ways hepatitis B is passed to others: Direct contact with infected blood or infected bodily fluids  From an infected mother to her newborn baby during pregnancy or delivery  Unprotected sex with an infected partner  Shared or re-used needles (for example, sharing needles for illegal drugs or re-using needles that are not properly sterilized for medicine, acupuncture, tattoos, or ear/body piercing)  Unsterilized medical equipment or needles that may be used by roadside doctors, dentists or barbers Is hepatitis B transmitted casually?No, hepatitis B is not spread through casual contact. You cannot get hepatitis B from the air, hugging, touching, sneezing, coughing, toilet seats or doorknobs. You cannot get hepatitis B from eating or drinking with someone who is infected or from eating food prepared by someone who has hepatitis B. Who is most likely to become infected with hepatitis B? Although everyone is at some risk for getting hepatitis B, there are some people who are more likely to get infected. Your job, lifestyle, or just being born into a family with hepatitis B can increase your chances of being infected. Here are some of the most common "high risk" groups -- but please remember that this is not a complete list: People who are married to or live in close household contact with someone who has hepatitis B. This includes adults and children. People who were born countries where hepatitis B is common, or whose parents were born in countries where hepatitis B is common (Asia, parts of Africa and South America, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East).  People who live in or travel to countries where hepatitis B is very common (Asia, parts of Africa and South America, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East). Sexually active adults and teenagers  Men who have sex with men  Infants born to infected mothers  Healthcare workers and others who are exposed to blood in their jobs. Emergency personnel  Patients who are on kidney dialysis Residents and staff of group homes, institutions, or correctional facilities. Recipients of blood transfusions before 1992, or more recent recipients of improperly screened blood Injection drug users, past and present  People who get tattoos or body piercing  People who use roadside doctors, dentists or barbers What are the recommendations for the hepatitis B vaccine? The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all infants and children up to age 18 years by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC also recommends that adults in high-risk groups be vaccinated. The hepatitis B vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine that is recommended for all infants at birth and for children up to 18 years. The hepatitis B vaccine is also recommended for adults living with diabetes and those at high risk for infection due to their jobs, lifestyle, living situations, or country of birth. Since everyone is at some risk, all adults should seriously consider getting the hepatitis B vaccine for a lifetime protection against a preventable chronic liver disease. Is the hepatitis B vaccine safe? Yes, the hepatitis B vaccine is very safe and effective. In fact, it is the first “anti-cancer vaccine” because it can protect you from hepatitis B, which is the cause of 80% of all liver cancer in the world. With more than one billion doses given throughout the world, medical and scientific studies have shown the hepatitis B vaccine to be one of the safest vaccines ever made. Can I get hepatitis B from the vaccine?No, you cannot get hepatitis B from the vaccine. The vaccine is made from a synthetic yeast product in a laboratory. The most common side effects are redness and soreness in the arm where the shot is given. What is the hepatitis B vaccine schedule?The hepatitis B vaccine is available at your doctor's office and local health department or clinic. Three doses are generally required to complete the hepatitis B vaccine series, although there is an accelerated two-dose series for adolescents age 11 through 15 years, and there is a new 2-dose vaccine that was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in adults in 2017. It is important to remember that babies born to infected mothers must receive the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine in the delivery room or within the first 12 hours of life. 1st Shot - At any given time, but newborns should receive this dose in the delivery room 2nd Shot - At least one month (or 28 days) after the 1st shot 3rd Shot - Six months after the 1st shot (or at least 2 months after the 2nd shot) There must be at least 16 weeks between the 1st and 3rd shot. If your vaccine schedule has been delayed, you do not need to start the series over, you can continue from where you have left off – even if there have been years between doses. To be certain that you are protected against hepatitis B, ask for a simple blood test to check your “hepatitis B antibody titers” (HBsAb) which will confirm whether the vaccination was successful. What else can I do to protect myself from hepatitis B?Since hepatitis B is spread through infected blood and infected body fluids, there are several simple things that you can do to protect yourself from possible infection until your vaccination is complete: Avoid touching blood or any bodily fluids directly  Use condoms with sexual partners  Avoid illegal drugs and prescription drug misuse, including injection of such drugs  Avoid sharing sharp objects such as razors, toothbrushes, earrings, and nail clippers  Make sure that sterile needles and equipment are used for medicine, the dentist, acupuncture, tattoos, ear and body piercing  Wear gloves and use a fresh solution of bleach and water to clean up blood spills  Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching or cleaning up blood  Most importantly, make sure you receive the hepatitis B vaccine!

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