Northwell Asian Liver Health Program: Hepatitis B Screening Among Underserved Asian American Communities
Christina Zheng, MS, PA-C, and her team from North Shore University Hospital plan to provide comprehensive liver health education and resources for underserved Asian American communities in New York.
Zheng put her work in context, “I have witnessed firsthand the reluctance of family members affected by Chronic Hepatitis B to seek assistance, often due to their lack of symptoms, unawareness of the condition’s complications, language barriers, and uncertainty about where to find help.”
To overcome these barriers, Zheng will support quarterly screening events. The events will also include a presentation in either Chinese or Korean that educates community members about Hepatitis B, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Personal follow-up will facilitate linkages to care, including treatment, if needed, or vaccination.
Zheng will partner with local Asian organizations to host and advertise these events. Her project’s aim is to prevent the transmission of Hepatitis B, thereby halting its progression as the leading cause of liver cancer among Asian Americans.
Zheng added, “My dual identity as an Asian American and a dedicated Physician Associate fuels my passion for advocating for health equality within my community … and I am determined to play a proactive role in bridging the gap between health care access and awareness among Asian Americans.”
The Health Foundation is glad to support this initiative that seeks to provide screenings and liver health education for undeserved Asian Americans.