The $40,350 grant from Kaiser Permanente Hawaii will increase hepatitis B awareness, prevention, immunization and treatment by providing the information in the native language of targeted groups.
The department estimates the grant will benefit at least 25,000 people in the first year.
"Hepatitis B and C are truly silent epidemics because most people don't know that they have been infected," said Thaddeus Pham, Health Department Adult Viral Hepatitis Prevention coordinator.
According to estimates provided by the department, one out of 10 Asians and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. have hepatitis B, an irritation and swelling of the liver caused by a viral infection. The virus can be spread by having contact with the blood, semen and other bodily fluids of an infected person.
"With this grant, DOH and Hep Free Hawaii . . . can obtain relevant and appropriate materials to increase their awareness of and access to hepatitis education and services."
To download the materials, go online to www.hepfreehawaii.org. For more information and printed copies, send email to Thaddeus Pham at thaddeus.pham@doh.hawaii.gov.
Out of 10 Asians and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. have hepatitis B, an irritation and swelling of the liver caused by a viral infection. The virus can be spread by having contact with the blood, semen and other bodily fluids of an infected person.
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