(Los Angeles-June 17, 2010)
The Hepatitis B Virus and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are silent killers in the Korean American community. In recognition of Hepatitis Awareness Month in May and National HIV Testing Week in June, KHEIR Center partners with the Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team (APAIT) to host a health workshop on Hepatitis B, HIV and crystal meth.

On Tuesday, June 29 at 6:30pm in the KHEIR Center conference room, Dr. John Kim of Loma
Linda Hospital will address the risks of Hepatitis B and liver failure among Koreans, how to identify chronic Hepatitis B, and the importance of getting tested and vaccinated. Armand Cachero of APAIT will cover the basics of HIV and its correlation to crystal meth usage among Korean youth, while psychologist Dr. Bryan Choi will share his clinical experiences with Koreans living with HIV as well as useful community resources that are available, such as Korean-language HIV support groups.

Given the risks of both infections among Korean Americans and the Koreatown community, KHEIR Clinic will also offer free Hepatitis B and HIV tests to the general public from June 28 until July 2.

“Hepatitis B is a global epidemic that impacts two billion people, but it is also a local epidemic right here in Koreatown,” says Erin Pak, CEO of KHEIR Center. “As a community clinic, we see Korean patients with liver problems on a regular basis. Due to our community’s risks for liver cancer, getting tested for Hepatitis B can be a matter of life or death. It’s vital that every Korean American get tested.”

Chronic Hepatitis B affects 350 million live worldwide and kills up to 600,000 people each year. As the virus is endemic in Asia, about 10 percent of Asians in the U.S. are chronically infected, compared to less than one percent of the general population. Although many Asians may have been infected since birth, the virus often causes no symptoms for years and can go undetected. Without treatment, 1 out of every 4 people infected may develop liver cancer or liver failure.

“HIV is not viewed as an ‘Asian’ disease, but our communities are certainly not immune from it! Unfortunately, this denial only hurts us since we’re unaware of how to protect ourselves and treat those who are infected,” shares Cachero, program coordinator for APAIT. “Lack of knowledge can lead to risky behaviors, such as illicit drug use with shared needles and unprotected sex. Even if you don’t suspect that you are infected with HIV, you are never 100% sure until you are tested.”

Asian Americans were previously less than 1% of persons with HIV/AIDS in the U.S., but that figure increased more than five-fold in recent years. Though this number is small compared to other ethnic groups, actual counts may be higher as underreporting or misclassification may disguise a more widespread problem. While the majority of Asian Americans perceive themselves at some risk for HIV infection, yet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that Asian Americans aresignificantly less likely than other ethnicities to report having been tested for HIV, with less than halfhaving been tested during the past year.

While no cure yet exists for either Hepatitis B or HIV, both are preventable and treatable. To schedule an HBV screening or vaccination or an HIV test, call the KHEIR Clinic at (213) 637-1070. Walk-in visits are also welcome.

About KHEIR
KHEIR Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency founded in 1986, offers culturally and linguistically appropriate health care and social services to the low income, limited-English speaking Korean and Latino residents of Southern California. In addition to operating the only full-time community clinic with majority Korean patient base in the United States to offer assistance in English, Spanish and Korean, the organization maintains a Social Services Department and two Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) centers that render more than 80,000 service visits and 100,000 hot meals on an annual basis. http://www.lakheir.org