Originally published November 2 2005
Survey indicates need for Hepatitis B education in Asian American community
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
A survey conducted by TNS Market Development selected and interviewed more than 800 Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean people, and from the survey, researchers concluded that one in three interviewees knew someone who had died from Hepatitis B complications, and one in five respondents admitted to not knowing the health risks associated with Hepatitis B.
One in three Asian-Americans surveyed in a recent poll report they had lost a family member due to complications of chronic hepatitis B.
However, about one in five respondents indicated they were not aware of the risks associated with the hepatitis B virus.
Researchers believe these survey findings, outline the urgent need for more hepatitis B education in communities most prone to the deadly and communicable disease.
The survey, overseen by TNS Market Development, a national research firm, randomly selected and interviewed more than 800 Chinese, Vietnamese and Koreans living in cities with high Asian-American populations; including Los Angeles, San Francisco/Oakland, New York City, and Houston.
Eddie Cheung, M.D., president of the Chinese American Physicians Society, Oakland, CA, and clinical professor of internal medicine and gastroenterology/hepatology at the University of California-Davis School of Medicine says, "Simply being an Asian-American is not a risk factor in and of itself; however hepatitis B continues to be an important and ongoing health problem in Asian-American communities where a lot of immigrants are not screened and do not vaccinate their children, nor are they aware of the significant risks of hepatitis B."
Hepatitis B is a virus that is acquired from an infected mother at the time of birth or is spread through direct contact with blood and other bodily fluids, in ways such as: IV drug use with contaminated needles, sharing toothbrushes or razors, getting tattoos, and having sexual relations with infected persons.
Chronic infection with the virus can eventually lead to liver scarring, liver cancer and death.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate one in ten people of Asian/Pacific Islander descent in the U.S. is infected with hepatitis B, and out of those one in four of whom, if left untreated, will die from the disease.
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