HBF applauds President Biden’s Memorandum denouncing racism, xenophobia, and intolerance against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

January 27, 2021 - The Hepatitis B Foundation applauds President Biden’s Memorandum denouncing racism, xenophobia, and intolerance against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, which increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The racist and inflammatory terms used to attack and blame Asian American communities for the cause of the pandemic exacerbates racial health inequities and discrimination against populations that continue to face barriers to health care access and are at increased risk of highly stigmatized conditions like chronic hepatitis B infection.

The memorandum encourages agencies to consult with public health experts, AAPI community leaders, or AAPI community-serving organizations to ensure an understanding of the needs and challenges faced by AAPI communities. The Hepatitis B Foundation applauds this timely commitment to mitigate inequalities among AAPIs especially since the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander communities.

The Hepatitis B Foundation looks forward to working with the Biden Administration, community and federal partners, and other key stakeholders to address the significant disparities and inequalities affecting the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities like disproportionate hepatitis B-related mortality rates.