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Vision: The National Task Force on Hepatitis B for Asians and Pacific Islanders (API) brings together scientists, health professionals, not-for-profit organizations, and concerned citizens in a concerted effort to eliminate hepatitis B-related mortality and morbidity over the next generation. Mission:
Our strategic plan will include Advocacy, Education, Outreach, and Research: ADVOCATE at the government level to legislate mandatory HBV vaccination for all school-aged children, to make available free vaccination for all children birth to 18 and at-risk groups, to develop official recommendations regarding the correct screening protocol for hepatitis B and hepatocellular carcinoma, to provide financial support for HBV screening, hepatocellular carcinoma screening, and antiviral therapy for individuals who cannot otherwise afford care, as well as to national programs promoting similar efforts. EDUCATE at the provider and community levels to promote awareness about the high prevalence of HBV among API, the availability of the Vaccine for Children program for hepatitis B vaccines, the availability of safe and effective treatment, and the importance of screening for liver cancer among chronically-infected individuals. IMPLEMENT screening programs and vaccination programs in areas around the United States with large API populations in community venues including cultural clubs, health fairs, schools, and churches. RESEARCH to identify epidemiologic and demographic factors associated with low vaccination rates and high hepatitis B chronic infection rates, as well as disparities in treatment and cancer screening practices. Officers: Coordinators: Janelle Tangonan Anderson and Thoa Nguyen Treasurer: Chari Cohen Regional Director Northeast: Betty Lam and Henry Pollack and Christie Hershey Regional Director Southeast: Jennifer Bourgeois Regional Director North Midwest: Hong Liu Regional Director South Midwest: Gary Euler and Son Do Regional Director Mountain area: Haeok Lee Regional Director Northwest: Kim Nguyen Regional Director Southwest: Ton Tran and Wendy Berger Past Chairmen: Member Organizations:
For a history of
past Task Force Officers, click here. |