Upcoming Events
Site Updates
Apply now for the 6th Annual Youth Leadership Conference on Asian and Pacific Islander Health Issues! This 4-day conference allows high school students to explore and learn about community health outreach from doctors, policy makers and public health activists. Application deadline is May 15, 2008. Help pass California Bill AB 158! We will have a letter available to download soon which can be printed, signed and mailed in to show your support for this important piece of legislation.
Third Annual LIVERight 5k run/walk coming May 10, 2008 in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park! Pledge support for a runner or learn more. Online registration has closed but you can register at the race starting at 8am! Free screening and low cost vaccinations every first and third Saturday of the month at AACI (10 AM-1PM, 2400 Moorpark Avenue, San Jose)
Jade Ribbon Campaign
Asian Liver Center

The greatest health disparity between Asian Americans and white Americans is liver cancer, 80% of which is caused by chronic hepatitis B infection. Approximately 10% of all Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Americans have chronic hepatitis B infection compared with 0.1% of white Americans. Liver cancer rates are 9 times higher in Vietnamese Americans, 4 times higher in Korean Americans, and 4 times higher in Chinese Americans than white Americans.

In May 2001, the Asian Liver Center launched the Jade Ribbon Campaign in the San Francisco Bay Area to spread awareness about hepatitis B and liver cancer in the Asian community. Since then, the Jade Ribbon Campaign has spread across the country and the world, reaching Asian communities in San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, Arizona, New York, Hawaii, as well as China and the Philippines, uniting people from all walks of life in the fight against hepatitis B and liver cancer. Partners of the Jade Ribbon Campaign include over 400 groups of community organizations and federal agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Hepatitis B Task Force for Immunization, and the Health Resources and Services Administration and its affiliated agencies in the US Department of Health and Human Services.

The objective of the campaign is to increase awareness and provide ethnic-sensitive health information to the API community and health professionals in an effort to reduce this major health disparity and improve API health. This multimedia campaign includes television public service announcements, radio shows, bus ads, lectures in the community, and more.

Considered to be the essence of heaven and earth, Jade is believed in many Asian cultures to bring good luck and longevity while deflecting negativity. Folded like the Chinese character meaning "person" or "people," the Jade Ribbon symbolizes the united voices of those fighting hepatitis B and liver cancer worldwide.

Get involved with the Jade Ribbon Campaign!

Donate now to the Jade Ribbon Campaign!

Get the latest educational brochures and Jade Ribbon Campaign publications!
Outreach
Education
Research
Since its founding in 1996, the Asian Liver Center has been dedicated to serving the Asian community through a variety of outreach programs. The Asian Liver center regularly participates in community events throughout the Bay Area, providing free screenings and low-cost vaccinations, hosting educational booths and games, speaking to health care providers and developing workshops to spread awareness about hepatitis B and liver cancer. The outreach section of our site gives details about our screenings, conferences, community events, advocacy efforts, partnerships and ongoing projects.
The key to winning the fight against hepatitis B and liver cancer is prevention, and prevention begins with education. There is a vaccine readily available that offers full protection from hepatitis B, but many API are not vaccinated simply because they are not aware of the problem and its prevalence in their community. The education section of our site includes detailed information about hepatitis B, liver cancer, vaccination and blood tests as well as patient testimonials and resources for health care providers.
Unfortunately, research in liver cancer has generally received low priority for federal funding in this country, contributing to the current lack of effective treatment. At the Asian Liver Center, we are committed to finding novel approaches to increase the efficacy of diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment through the development of a comprehensive liver cancer research program with an emphasis on liver cancer genomics. We also are dedicated to our clinical research and community research programs to ensure patients receive the most effective treatment and that our outreach efforts make the largest possible impact for a healthier community.
Last Updated: March 10, 2008