Health Affairs
Volume 30, Issue 10, 2011, Pages 1974-1983

A comprehensive screening and treatment model for reducing disparities in hepatitis B (Article)

Pollack H.* , Wang S. , Wyatt L. , Peng C.-H. , Wan K. , Trinh-Shevrin C. , Chun K. , Tsang T. , Kwon S.
  • a Division of Infectious Diseases, New York University (NYU) School of Medicine, Bellevue Hospital, BfreeNYC, New York City, NY, United States
  • b Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, New York City, NY, United States
  • c NYU Center for the Study of Asian American Health, New York City, NY, United States
  • d Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, NYU School of Medicine, United States
  • e Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, NYU School of Medicine, United States
  • f NYU Center for the Study of Asian American Health, Division of General Internal Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, United States
  • g Public Health and Research Center, Korean Community Services of Metropolitan NY, United States
  • h BFreeNYC, Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, United States
  • i Elimination of Hepatitis B Disparities, Division of General Internal Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, United States

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis B affects Asian Americans at a much higher rate than the general US population. Appropriate care can limit morbidity and mortality from hepatitis B. However, access to care for many Asian Americans and other immigrant groups is limited by their lack of knowledge about the disease, as well as cultural, linguistic, and financial challenges. This article describes the results of BfreeNYC, a New York City pilot program that, from 2004 to 2008, provided hepatitis B community education and awareness, free screening and vaccinations, and free or low-cost treatment primarily to immigrants from Asia, but also to residents from other racial and ethnic minority groups. The program was the largest citywide screening program in the United States, reaching nearly 9,000 people, and the only one providing comprehensive care to those who were infected. During the program, new hepatitis B cases reported annually from predominantly Asian neighborhoods in the city increased 34 percent. More than two thousand people were vaccinated, and 1,162 of the 1,632 people who tested positive for hepatitis B received care from the program's clinical services. Our analysis found that the program was effective in reaching the target population and providing care. Although follow-up care data will be needed to demonstrate long-term cost-effectiveness, the program may serve as a useful prototype for addressing hepatitis B disparities in communities across the United States. © 2011 Project HOPE-The People-to-People Health Foundation, Inc.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

hepatitis vaccine health care management immigrant mass screening health care policy health disparity Health Status Disparities follow up Follow-Up Studies human middle aged Asia health service Aged Health Services Needs and Demand United States Young Adult health care cost health program Humans Adolescent Minority Groups Asian Americans Emigrants and Immigrants male female Aged, 80 and over Socioeconomic Factors electronic medical record Referral and Consultation chronic hepatitis Article liver cancer adult health education New York City ethnicity health center vaccination hepatitis B Healthcare Disparities Pilot Projects cost effectiveness analysis
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84862908301&doi=10.1377%2fhlthaff.2011.0700&partnerID=40&md5=a8a366ded9a98bdfeed3f7710902a5c4
DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2011.0700
ISSN: 02782715
Cited by: 32
Original Language: English