What We Do

The HBCW and its committees raise hepatitis B awareness in various ways and at various levels:  relationship building and networking with local, state, and national partners; print and visual media for the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities in Washington state; and direct services (presentations and screenings) in predominantly API communities.  Our work – whether it’s a poster, video, or a community screening – centers around providing our hepatitis B message in a culturally appropriate and sensitive manner.

The Hepatitis B Coalition of Washington (HBCW) hosted the 2009 Annual API Hepatitis B Forum in Seattle on May 5. Leaders from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Harborview Medical Center, International Community Health Services, representatives from local health jurisdictions, hospitals, clinics, colleagues from community based organizations, and college students were present.  The 90 attendees learned about the overall coalition work and engaged in identifying how HBCW can be more impactful in its 2009-11 strategic plan:  1) Reaching, engaging, and educating families and household members of positive individuals and 2) Expanding our work to at least one other high risk population, while retaining the primary focus on the API community.  Click here to see an overview of the strategic plan

Dr. Anthony Chen, Director of Health from Tacoma Pierce County Health Department delivered the keynote speech.  Dr. Chen shared the history of the Task Force, where it’s been and where as a coalition, it’s going.  View his powerpoint presentation here. 

The 2009 API Hepatitis B award was presented to Dr. John Choe of the University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, for his leadership and commitment to raising hepatitis B awareness in the API community.  Read more about Dr. Choe at http://www.hepbwa.org/awards.  Several volunteers were also recognized for their tireless dedication to the work.

The Forum concluded with presentations of puzzle prizes developed by Carey Melmed of Public Health Seattle-King County and member of the HBCW Advisory Committee.  The puzzles varied from beginner to intermediate to advanced levels of hepatitis B knowledge.  Try out these puzzles yourself:

• Beginner Cryptogram  
• Intermediate Crossword
• Advanced Crossword

Answer Keys

• Beginner Cryptogram Answer Key 
• Intermediate Crossword Answer Key
  
• Advanced Crossword Answer Key
  

Thanks to all those who attended and made this a successful 2009 Forum!  View photos from the Forum by clicking here.