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Copyright ©The Author(s) 2015.
World J Gastroenterol. Nov 14, 2015; 21(42): 11924-11930
Published online Nov 14, 2015. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i42.11924
Table 1 Chronic hepatitis B prevalence rate of foreign-born with chronic hepatitis B living in the United States for selected Asian Countries[6]
CountryChronic hepatitis B prevalence rate (%)
Laos (home to the Hmong)13.61
Vietnam12.48
China12.25
Cambodia10.27
Philippines7.36
Thailand (home to the Hmong)5.97
South Korea5.26
Table 2 Recommendations to mitigate the hepatitis B virus burden among Asian Americans
CDC’s recommendationsEvidence-based strategies
1.Screen persons born in areas with ≥ 2% hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) rates[10]a.Ask persons which country they were born
b.Encourage providers to recommend HBsAg testing for their at-risk Asian American patients
c.Educate and encourage patients to ask their providers whether they should be tested for HBsAg[44]
d.Use typical Asian names from EHRs to determine if they have been tested for HBsAg and then to screen them at the next opportunity[46]
e.Collaborate with Asian American-serving organizations to hold screening events[36]
2.Vaccinate Asian American infants and children[30]a.Verify that hospitals and birthing facilities are providing birth dose vaccinations
b.If not vaccinated at birth, vaccinate. Note that in many states, verification of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccinations may be a requisite for school enrollment
3.Vaccinate Asian American adults. Note: serologically test for HBsAg first and after test results are known, determine if vaccination is appropriate[31]a.Consider follow up vaccination programs for adults after serological testing for HBV for those who need vaccination[36]