Hepatitis B Coalition of Washington
Since 1997, the Hepatitis B Coalition of Washington state (HBCW) has been dedicated to reducing hepatitis B disease and its complications through innovation, education, and community partnership, for communities at highest risk for hepatitis B. Located in Seattle, WA, we are a network of committed health care professionals and community volunteers, health departments, community clinics, and nonprofit organizations, with representatives from the local, state, and national levels.
Hepatitis B is one of the most significant health disparity issues facing groups such as the Asian/Pacific Islander (API), African-born, and other immigrant and refugee populations. Nationally, there are about 1.3-1.5 million Americans with chronic hepatitis B. More than half of those are APIs alone. Those born in Asia or Africa experience an 8% or greater prevalence of chronic hepatitis B. View the hepatitis B prevalence map from CDC. Yet it is a very preventable liver disease.
Strategic Plan
Our 2013-16 strategic plan is a two-pronged approach to address this disparity:
Community Awareness & Activism – Expand efforts to raise and improve awareness and activism of hepatitis B prevention with and for populations from high-risk regions (such as Asian/Pacific Islanders (APIs), East Africans, immigrants, and refugees), and the health and social service providers who serve them.
Systems Improvement - Support and advance best practices and initiatives within health care systems (such as community clinics, hospitals, and provider networks) to encourage, standardize, and systematize hepatitis B testing, vaccination, and care policies and protocols in health care settings.
Contact HBCW Program Manager, Kim Nguyen, (206) 830-5156, for more information.