The Know Hepatitis B Campaign

In 2013, the Division of Viral Hepatitis, along with our partner, Hep B United, launched Know Hepatitis B, a national communications campaign promoting Hepatitis B testing among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). This multilingual campaign has materials in English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese, and messages will be delivered through a variety of multi-media channels. Community-level outreach, in partnership with Hep B United and its local affiliates, will also incorporate campaign messages and materials that facilitate education and communication about Hepatitis B among healthcare providers, local partners, and patients.

Though AAPIs make up less than 5 percent of the U.S. population, they account for more than 50% of the 1.2 million Americans estimated to be living with hepatitis B. Testing identifies people living with hepatitis B and helps them take steps to protect their health, including starting treatment that can delay or reverse the effects of liver damage. An estimated 1 in 12 AAPIs is living with hepatitis B, yet as many as 2 out of 3 people do not know they are infected. Many people can live with the disease and not feel sick or have any symptoms.

Know Hepatitis B seeks to increase awareness about this silent epidemic and encourage people who may be chronically infected with hepatitis B to get tested so they can take care of themselves and protect their families.

For more information

• Know Hepatitis B: Fact Sheet on the Campaign [PDF - 2 pages]
• “Know Hepatitis B:” A Multilingual Communications Campaign Promoting Testing for Hepatitis B Among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders - Public Health Reports.  2016 May-Jun;131 Suppl 2:35-40. Supplement Page