The CDC recommends that screening for hepatitis B be conducted on all communities where the expected prevalence rate of hepatitis B is greater than 2%, or more than twice the rate found in the general population. B Free NYC has developed a comprehensive model program to address health disparities in the African, Afro-Caribbean, Eastern European, and Latino populations.
Hepatitis
B and the Latino Community
While there
is little information about the prevalence of hepatitis
B in the Latino community in NYC, high rates have
been reported in other inner-city Hispanic neighborhoods.
Because of the high rates of infection reported
in several of countries that make-up a large part
of the Latino community in NYC, such as Ecuador,
Peru, and the Dominican Republic, it is likely that
the rates are high in these populations. Persons
born in these countries should be screened for hepatitis
B. The B-free NYC campaign is working to understand
the epidemiology of HBV in the Latino community
in NYC to provide better information and guidance
about this problem.
Hepatitis
B and African Americans
Black Americans
have a higher rate of chronic HBV than Caucasians.
The prevalence of hepatitis B in the U.S.-born black
population, particularly in young black males, is
higher than the general U.S. population. Rates among
Haitians and those of Caribbean descent are 2 to
5 times greater than the general U.S.-born population.
The rate is especially high, between 7 to 25 percent,
in recent immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa. Chronic
hepatitis B is the leading cause of end stage liver
disease and hepatocellular carcinoma in Africa.
There are more than 90,000 African immigrants living
in NYC. While little epidemiological data about
the prevalence of HBV in African immigrants in NYC
or the U.S. exists, extrapolation from the data
from Sub-Saharan Africa suggests that it is likely
that this immigrant population has high prevalence
rates and should be tested for chronic hepatitis
B infection. The B-free NYC campaign is working
to understand the epidemiology of HBV in the African
community in NYC to provide better information and
guidance about this problem.
Hepatitis
B and Eastern Europeans
Hepatitis B
infection is endemic in Eastern Europe with prevalence
rates as high as 7% and 8% in such countries as
Russia, the Ukraine, Poland, Romania and Bulgaria.
Depending on the particular country or area within
each country, the exact rate may vary significantly.
Although there are no studies of the prevalence
of Hepatitis B in Eastern European immigrants in
NYC, if you were born in any of these countries
you should be tested for chronic HBV infection.
The B-free NYC campaign is working to understand
the epidemiology of HBV in the Eastern European
community in NYC to provide better information and
guidance about this problem.
Community screening events have ended for 2007. To schedule individual screening appointments please contact our partners.
