SACRAMENTO – AB 158, authored by Assemblywoman Ma (D-San Francisco), passed out of the Assembly Health Committee (vote count is not official).  The bill will establish a hepatitis B prevention program to direct resources to impacted communities.  Earlier in the day, about 150 people gathered on the steps of the State Capitol to support the bill and to urge Asian Americans to get tested and vaccinated for hepatitis B. Asian Americans rallied to support the bill and the need for additional awareness to prevent the further spread of the disease. Of the approximately 1.4 million Americans who are infected with hepatitis B, more than half are Asian/Pacific Islander Americans.  Assemblywoman Ma, who is a carrier of hepatitis B, is leading the effort to ensure that all Asian/Pacific Islander Americans are aware of the disease and the vaccine.

“Many people are unaware that they may be infected with hepatitis B,” said Assemblywoman Ma.  “By raising awareness and directing resources, this bill can end the disproportionate impact the disease has on Asian Americans like me.”

Specifically, AB 158 will require the Department of Public Health to establish a hepatitis B prevention and management pilot program in the Los Angeles area and the San Francisco Bay Area.  The bill was amended at the request of the chair of the committee, Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally (D-Compton), to also include hepatitis C as part of the program.  The program will provide culturally and language appropriates public awareness and other activities relating to the prevention and management of hepatitis B and C.  The bill is expected to be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee within the next month

The passage of AB 158 coincides with the start of The SF Hep B Free campaign, which puts San Francisco at the forefront of America in fighting chronic hepatitis. The campaign seeks to test and vaccinate all Asian /Pacific Islanders in San Francisco for hepatitis B. The goal of the campaign is to make the city hepatitis B free.  Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, Mayor Gavin Newsom and San Francisco Supervisor Ed Jew are leading the effort with more than 50 healthcare and API organizations. The campaign will be announced on Wednesday, April 25th at New Asia Restaurant at 772 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA. Website: www.sfhepbfree.org

San Francisco’s Asian/Pacific Islander residents comprise 34% of the city’s population and bear a disproportionate burden of liver cancer and undetected HBV infection. Hepatitis B is a serious disease responsible for 80% of all liver cancers among Asian /Pacific Islanders. San Francisco has the highest liver cancer rate in the nation.  It is estimated that 1 in 10 people in the Asian /Pacific Islander community have an undiagnosed infection.