Global Hepatitis B Initiative

The Asian Liver Center is currently working with the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to create a Global Hepatitis B Initiative. The goal of this initiative is first, to reduce chronic hepatitis B virus infection prevalence globally to less than 2% in children 0-15 years of age by the year 2015 and second, to increase access to chronic HBV testing and antiviral treatment worldwide to reduce transmission rates and disease mortality and morbidity.

 3/11/08, World Health Organization, Geneva. Dr. So met to discuss the progress, gaps, opportunities and challenges in eliminating hepatitis B worldwide with Ms. Daisy Mafubelu, Assistant Director General, Family and Community Health (wearing LIVERight jade ribbon bracelet), Dr. J.M. Okwobele, Director, Dept of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals, Dr. Craig Shapiro, Medical Officer, Dept of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals, and Dr. Steven T. Wiersma, Associate Director for Science and Global Activities, Division of Viral Hepatitis, CDC (not shown in photo).

Hangzhou, China

The Jade Ribbon Campaign in the People's Republic of China was officially launched at the National Viral Hepatitis Prevention Conference from April 26-30, 2004 in Hangzhou, China. This conference, held in conjunction with the China Centers for Disease Control and the Ministry of Health, featured a keynote speech by Dr. So, addressing "Why Eradicating Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer Should be a National Priority in China." In partnership with the China Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control and provincial CDC and health departments, the Asian Liver Center and the ShinShin Educational Foundation in the U.S. launched a catch-up vaccination program in 2004 to vaccinate about 3,500 grade-school children in the Sichuan province. In 2005, the ALC partnered with the Sun Hung Kai Properties Kwok Foundation Ltd. and the Lui Hac Minh Foundation to provide free vaccinations for more than 100,000 students in China. In this massive program, the ALC provided the faculty, training, staff, lab equipment, educational materials, and vaccines to the region.

 Dr. Samuel So poses with a group of grade-school children in Sichuan who had just been vaccinated.

Qinghai, China

2006-2007: The Qinghai project 2006-2007 vaccinated and educated approximately 50,000 school age children in 331 schools. The project kicked off on September 5, 2006 and went through April 2007. We achieved an unprecedented 95% vaccination completion rate as well as an 80% increase in hepatitis B prevention education knowledge levels. The program involved collaboration from a variety of government departments and agencies, highlighting the fact that hepatitis B prevention is not only a health concern, but also an educational and social issue.

Dr. So, Teacher Zhao and ZheShan Foundation Executive Director Ho Wei Chi pose with the classic "3 For Life" sign with students in Qinghai. Because of our catch-up hepatitis B vaccination and education program, by April 2007 these children will no longer have to fear HBV.

2007-2008: In a continuation of the 2006-2007 Qinghai Project, this year our goal is to complete the vaccination series for 500,000 children and to educate government officials, teachers, and elementary school students about hepatitis B transmission, prevention, and other facets of the disease. Thanks to a generous donation from the Ping and Amy Chao foundation, we will be able to protect future generations from hepatitis B infection.

Dr. So, Jordan Su, Jonathan Chen and Jay Zhang in front of the WHO vehicle that transported them 800 miles around Qinghai during their visit. Jay and Jonathan are currently working in Qinghai traveling around school by school to reinforce the education effort. In the month of September alone they traveled to 30 schools and met with 6500 students.

Chengdu, China

Dr. So traveled to Chengdu to deliver the opening keynote address at the China Hepatitis Prevention and Control Conference on November 16, 2006. In his speech, Dr. So gave recommendations for a comprehensive national strategy to eliminate hepatitis B in China, emphasizing the need for an expanded immunization program that would provide free catch-up vaccination for unprotected children and adolescents. Download and read the abstract here (in English).

In addition, Sichuan University held its first Graduate Student Health Forum on November 17, 2006. The ALC was invited to introduce the Jade Ribbon, which was officially adopted to represent their anti-discrimination stance regarding HBV. Read more about the Jade Ribbon in China and the ALC's visit to Sichuan University (in Chinese).

 Graduate students from the Sichuan University gather to learn about the Asian Liver Center's mission at the Graduate Student Health Forum in 2006.


Many of the ALC’s global outreach efforts take place in China because China has the greatest burden of hepatitis B and liver cancer in the world. One-third of the 350-400 million people in the world with chronic (lifelong) hepatitis B live in China, with the incidence of hepatitis B reaching upwards of 17% in some provinces. Each year, an estimated 500,000 Chinese die of liver cancer or failure caused by hepatitis B.



Philippines

 Panelists at an event in the Philippines speak about the prevalence of Hepatitis B, its relation to liver cancer, and liver cancer causes and prevention.

In September, the ALC in collaboration with the American Cancer Society established a partnership with the Philippine Cancer Society, the Philippine Department of Health, and the Philippine Society of Gastroenterology to help address the disproportionately high prevalence of hepatitis B and liver cancer in the Philippines. Currently this collaboration is attempting to implement effective strategies in preventing hepatitis B through government health policies, such as updating national newborn vaccination guidelines and increasing public awareness.

Last Updated: February 5, 2008