Proactive Protection of the Liver Health of Asian Americans
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) that can cause long-term (chronic) disease. Chronic hepatitis B can lead to serious liver damage – including scarring (cirrhosis), liver failure, and even liver cancer.
Treatment for chronic HBV infection depends on its severity, and antiviral medications are available to suppress the virus, prevent liver damage, and avert the spread of disease to others. This is a daily, oral pill that typically has to be taken for life. Chronic HBV infection does not currently have a cure. However, it does have a vaccine available around the world that is more than 95% effective in preventing infection at birth and more than 90% effective in adults. This means that the greatest tools against HBV are prevention and early detection.
Around the world, medical guidance supports this prevention and early detection. To prevent chronic HBV infection, the following groups should receive immunization against hepatitis B:
- All infants
- Unvaccinated children under 19 years old
- Adults between 19 and 59 years old
- Adults over 60 with risk factors for hepatitis B
There are also clear guidelines for hepatitis B screening. Who should receive screening?
- All adults 18+ should be screened at least once in their lifetime. Anyone who requests HBV testing should receive it regardless of their risk.
- All infants born to individuals who are hepatitis B surface antigen-positive
- All pregnant people during each pregnancy, regardless of vaccination status or history of testing
- People at increased risk should be tested periodically while their risk exposure persists.
This means that no matter who you are – if you are an adult, you should make sure you have been screened for hepatitis B – or schedule one soon.
In certain communities, including Asian Americans and Asian-American immigrants, HBV infection is more common. This is known as an increased prevalence. In the USA, Asian Americans have the highest chronic HBV prevalence – and the prevalence among Asian-American immigrants is 4x higher than for US-born Asians. Because HBV infection is a risk factor for liver cancer, this means that foreign-born Asian Americans are also twice as likely to die from liver cancer as non-Hispanic whites.
Unfortunately, many people don’t realize their own risk for HBV infection. In many cases, it does not cause any symptoms until liver damage is severe. More than half of people with HBV are unaware that they are infected. In some cases, primary care practices can use tools like culturally appropriate apps to inform their patient communities about their risks and how to take action. Social media can also be a powerful tool for members of communities at risk to inform their peers about their risks and what actions they can take.
No one is at fault for becoming infected with HBV. However, everyone can take steps to protect the liver health of themselves and their communities.
- Double-check your vaccination status. If you have not yet been immunized for HBV, ask for the three-dose course next time you see your doctor.
- If you are over the age of 18, confirm if you have been screened for HBV or schedule a screening test. In the U.S. you can find locations near you on the CDC’s GetTested website.
- If you have one or more risk factors for HBV infection, let your primary care provider know, and ask for regular screening.
- Raise awareness! Make sure other members of your community know that they can – and should – be screened for HBV.
The statements and opinions presented in this blog post are solely the responsibility of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute® (PCORI®), its Board of Governors, or the Methodology Committee.