National Hepatis B Initiative for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

OMH recognized the disproportionate impact of Hepatitis B on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) in 2003 when it funded the Hepatitis B Initiative–DC Affiliate Project (HBI-DC) for Faith-Based Hepatitis B Outreach to ultimately increase Hepatitis B vaccination rates among the AAPI community in DC, Maryland and Virginia, through a faith-based initiative with the Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum. The goal of the HBI-DC, with the Korean Central Presbyterian Church (KCPC) of Virginia and other partners, is to promote culturally appropriate education and awareness about liver wellness and Hepatitis B, and provide screenings, vaccinations, and access to treatment options for chronic Hepatitis B carriers. Additionally, it has developed a toolkit that can be shared with other faith-based organizations.

The purpose of the National Hepatitis B Initiative for AAPIs is to develop a model for replicating the Hepatitis B Initiative –DC Affiliate in other faith-based organizations through the National Presbyterian Church Assembly (PCA) of Korean Churches.