Press Release: "Chinese Community Health Plan and Chinese Hospital Jointly Launching a Hepatitis B Campaign for the Chinese Community"

SAN FRANCISCO, May 23, 2008 –Chinese Hospital and Chinese Community Health Plan (CCHP) are teaming up with San Francisco Hepatitis B Frees citywide campaign to make San Francisco into the first Hepatitis B free city in the nation.

According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC), Asians have the highest risk of HBV among all ethnic groups. Hepatitis B is a serious disease responsible for 80% of all liver cancers among Asians. San Francisco has the highest liver cancer rate in the nation. It is estimated that 1 in 10 people in the Asian community have an undiagnosed infection. Asians are up to 100 times more likely to suffer from chronic HBV infection and 4 times more likely to die from liver cancer compared with the general population.

The Chinese Community Health Plan, Chinese Hospital, Excelsior Health Services and Sunset Health Services will offer a comprehensive Hepatitis B awareness program. The goal of this program is to raise the awareness of Hepatitis B among the Chinese community through a multi-media educational campaign, and provide free or low-cost Hepatitis B Testing to the uninsured or underinsured.

Ms. Brenda Yee, CEO of Chinese Hospital said: "Chinese Hospital and CCHP are fully committed to the goals of the SF Hepatitis B Free campaign. And help to eradicate the Hepatitis B virus in San Francisco!"

Dr. Edward Chow, Medical Director of the Chinese Community Health Plan said: “This effort continues our commitment to the community and the City. In 2001, CCHP, its physicians, NICOS Chinese Health Coalition and the Chinatown Public Health Center developed guidelines and promoted professional education and consumer awareness for testing for Hepatitis B through the “B-Wise” project. CCHP was also the first HMO plan in the nation to recognize Hepatitis B testing and vaccination as a plan benefit. We are pleased that there is now a city wide campaign, and we will continue to fully support the “Hepatitis B Free” campaign.”

Ms. Jian Zhang, Director of Excelsior & Sunset Health Services said, “This campaign will provide Screening /Testing, Vaccination, Treatments, Medical follow-ups and Educational classes for the general public which will be conducted in Mandarin and Cantonese. Advance registration is required, public can call (415) 677-2488 for more information.”