By Mohammed Abdulkadir
MA, MPH
Hepatitis B Coalition of Washington
Every May, we observe Hepatitis Awareness Month — a vital opportunity to educate, advocate, and mobilize action around viral hepatitis. An estimated 296 million people worldwide are living with chronic Hepatitis B, including about 2.4 million people in the United States. Despite this Hepatitis B often remains under the radar for both patients and healthcare providers. Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute (short and severe) and chronic (long-lasting) disease. Yet, due to a lack of symptoms in the early stages, many people do not even know they are infected. When symptoms do appear, they may include fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain, and nausea.
The consequences of chronic Hepatitis B can be severe: cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer are all potential outcomes. Alarmingly, liver cancer is one of the fastest-growing causes of cancer death in the U.S., and chronic Hepatitis B is a leading cause.
Certain groups are disproportionately affected by Hepatitis B in the United States—not due to any inherent risk, but because of a range of systemic and structural factors. This includes, people born in countries where hepatitis B is more common, specifically many parts of Asia and Africa as well as the Pacific Islands. This is primarily due to low infant immunization rates against the disease in those areas. Most Asians, Africans and Pacific Islanders who have hepatitis B contracted it during childbirth from their mothers. This group makes up the majority of those infected.
In the U.S., this population continues to face elevated risk due to lower vaccination rates, especially among those born before the implementation of widespread vaccination programs. Cultural and linguistic barriers, limited access to healthcare, and stigma surrounding the disease further contribute to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
If you did not immigrate from a part of the world where Hepatitis B is more common, you may still be at risk. In addition to mother to child transmission, the virus can be transmitted through any activities that involve contact with infectious blood or body fluids, including sex with a partner who has HBV infection, injection drug use that involves sharing needles, syringes, or drug-preparation equipment.
The good news is that Hepatitis B is preventable and manageable. A safe and effective vaccine has been available since 1982, offering protection for life. For those already living with the virus, early diagnosis and access to medical care can significantly reduce the risk of serious complications.
Ask your doctor to test you for hepatitis B, and about getting the hepatitis B vaccine. The Hepatitis B Coalition of Washington (HBCW), established in 1997 and coordinated by International Community Health Services (ICHS), plays a pivotal role in combating hepatitis B in the state. HBCW collaborates with community-based organizations, clinics, health care facilities, and health departments to foster hepatitis B-related care through educational outreach, testing, and improving linkage to care services. Please visit our website https://www.ichs.com/advocacy-hbcw for more information. We can also be reached at 206-788-3654.
As we mark Hepatitis Awareness Month, let us remember that Hepatitis B is preventable and treatable. And, together, we can stop it!