5.14.2007

asian americans and hepatitis b

Another article on the "silent killer" hepatitis B, a disease that affects a disproportionate number of Asians, putting them at greater risk of developing liver cancer and cirrhosis: Asians losing race with hepatitis. The story mentions Chi Mui, who became San Gabriel's first Asian American mayor in March 2006, only to die of liver cancer after about a month in the position, at 53. He had hepatitis B. The HBV-related death rate among Asian Americans is seven times greater than the rate among American whites, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is a serious, pressing problem for our community, and the biggest challenge is awareness. For more information about Asian Americans and hepatitis B awareness, vaccination, screening and treatment, go here.

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