City Leaders Welcome New Hep B Free Screenings at San Bruno Ave NEMS

SAN FRANCISCO, April 12, 2011 -

Grand Opening of free public Hepatitis B screenings at North East Medical Services (NEMS) San Bruno Clinic every Thursday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Light food and drinks will be provided.

On April 8, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released its National HHS Action Plan to Reduce Health Disparities. Eliminating Hep B infection for Asians was listed as a top priority. Hep B causes most liver cancer and infects up to 1 out of 10 Asians. "The Portola neighborhood is home to many immigrants from Asia and Africa who may not know nor have ever been tested for hepatitis B," said Dr. Kenneth Tai, Medical Director at NEMS. "As many as 2 out of 3 people don't even realize they are affected and with the opening of our new Hep B screening site, our goal is to help provide awareness to this community."

AsianWeek Foundation is the lead organizer for the event and community partners include APA Family Support Services, Bethel Grace Lutheran Ministries, California Pacific Medical Center, Chinese Hospital, North East Medical Services, SF Chinese Club, SF Public Library, SF Samoa, and Sterling Bank and Trust.


WHO:
David Chiu, President, Board of Supervisors
Phil Ting, Assessor-Recorder
Malia Cohen, District 10 Supervisor
Jose Cisneros, Treasurer
Chris Jackson, Vice President, Community College Board of Trustees,
Kim-Shree Maufas, Board of Education
Eddie Chan, North East Medical Services CEO
Ted Fang, AsianWeek Foundation and San Francisco Hep B Free
Judy Li, Vice President, California Pacific Medical Center

WHEN:
Thursday, April 14
12 noon press conference and community kickoff
1-4 p.m. Free Hep B Screening

WHERE:
North East Medical Services San Bruno Clinic
2574 San Bruno Ave.
San Francisco, CA

INFO:
(415) 373-0895

For more information, and to RSVP online today:
hepbcliniclaunch.eventbrite.com/

###


About Hepatitis B:
Chronic Hep B infection is the greatest cause of liver cancer in the world, and the greatest health disparity between Asians and non-Asians. One in 10 Asians are chronically infected with Hep B and are 4 times more likely to die from liver cancer compared with the general population. 80% of liver cancer worldwide is caused by chronic HBV infection. Early detection of HBV will benefit the carrier as well as prevent the infection from spreading. Hepatitis B is not only vaccine preventable, but it also has effective treatments that prevent liver cancer.

About Hep B Free:
Hep B Free is a multi-faceted and comprehensive campaign to make America free of hepatitis B disease and liver cancer through a nationwide collaboration, and network of localized efforts. The model was begun in San Francisco and is being replicated in Las Vegas, Washington DC, Philadelphia, San Mateo County, Los Angeles County, Orange County, Hawaii and other municipalities. AsianWeek Foundation is a co-founder of Hep B Free with Asian Liver Center at Stanford University and San Francisco Department of Public Health. sfhepbfree.org

About North East Medical Services:
North East Medical Services (NEMS) is one of the largest community health centers in the United States targeting the medically underserved Asian population. With over 40 yeras of experience, the non-profit community health center offers comprehensive health care services to a variety of patients, a majority of whom are uninsured or low-income. NEMS offers culturally-sensitive health care services in several Asian and other languages and dialects, including Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Burmese, Korean, and Spanish. NEMS currently operates four clinics throughout San Francisco and one clinic in San Jose. nems.org

About AsianWeek Foundation:
AsianWeek Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote and develop Asian Pacific American identity, community and diversity. AWF does this by bringing people together through cultural events, media campaigns, consulting and innovative programs. AsisianWeek Foundation is part of the San Francisco Hep B Free Steering Committee and organizes Hep B community education and awareness events. asianweekfoundation.org