The Jade Ribbon Campaign in the People's Republic of China was officially launched at the National Viral Hepatitis Prevention Conference from April 26-30, 2004 in Hangzhou, China. This conference, held in conjunction with the China Centers for Disease Control and the Ministry of Health, featured a keynote speech by Dr. So, addressing "Why Eradicating Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer Should be a National Priority in China."
China has the greatest burden of hepatitis B and liver cancer in the world. One-third of the 350-400 million people in the world with chronic (lifelong) hepatitis B live in China, with the incidence of hepatitis B in some provinces reaching upwards of 17%. Each year, an estimated 500,000 Chinese die of liver cancer or failure caused by hepatitis B.
Although the adoption of a national policy since 2003 to provide newborns with free HBV vaccination was an important initial step towards reducing the incidence of hepatitis B, many children and young adults are left vulnerable to HBV infection.
In partnership with the China Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control and provincial CDC and health departments, the Asian Liver Center and the ShinShin Educational Foundation in the U.S. have launched a catch-up vaccination program in 2004 to vaccinate about 3,500 grade-school children in the Sichuan province. In 2005, the ALC plans to additionally partner with the Sun Hung Kai Properties Kwok Foundation Ltd. and the Lui Hac Minh Foundation to provide free vaccinations for more than 100,000 students in China.
In this massive program, the ALC provides the faculty, training, staff, lab equipment, educational materials, and vaccines to the region.
ALC Releases Unique Documentary on HBV: "Another Life: The Untold Story of an Asian Epidemic"
In 2003, a single disease caused by a virus 100 times more infectious than HIV killed a million people around the world. Like HIV, it is spread from mother to child, infected needles and unprotected sex.
Unlike HIV, a safe and effective vaccine exists. But a lack of awareness and a social veil of silence have resulted in the infection
of as many as 400 million people worldwide. Most are Asians, including an estimated 10% of Asian-Americans. This disease is hepatitis B. "Another Life" is the first
documentary to examine its impact on communities in China and America.
The film focuses on the lives of eight people affected by Chronic Hepatitis B,
fusing their storeis into a compelling narrative of tenacity and hope in the face of an epidemic.
Many thanks to the Sun Hung Kai Properties Kwok Foundation Ltd. for its support in making this film.
Reaching the Philippines in Partnership with the American Cancer Society
In September, the ALC in collaboration with the American Cancer Society, established a partnership with the Philippine Cancer Society, the Philippine Department of Health, and the Philippine Society of Gastroenterology to help address the disproportionately high prevalence of hepatitis B and liver cancer in the Philippines. Currently this collaboration is attempting to implement effective strategies in preventing hepatitis B through government health policies, such as updating national newborn vaccination guidelines and increasing public awareness.
