Hepatitis B Foundation releases new campaign highlighting the connection between hepatitis B and liver cancer
The “Learn the Link” campaign provides materials for communities most affected by hepatitis B and liver cancer.
Doylestown, Pa., April 12, 2024 –The Hepatitis B Foundation has conducted focus groups with several communities across the U.S. heavily affected by hepatitis B-related liver cancer to capture existing awareness and knowledge levels regarding the connection between the two diseases within these communities. The aim also was to collect suggestions for culturally appropriate dissemination strategies for this information.
Insights gathered were used to develop a communications campaign, “Learn the Link,” tailored to the different communities that emphasizes this relationship in a culturally sensitive manner. The campaign aims to promote higher rates of screening, prevention and linkage to care for hepatitis B, and early detection for both diseases.
Beatrice Zovich, MPH, Public health Program Manager for the Hepatitis B Foundation, said: “We’re very excited for these resources to be available to a variety of diverse communities and to help mitigate some of the impacts of hepatitis B-related liver cancer and improve quality of life. We look forward to continuing to expand and disseminate this campaign in the future!" Take a look at this previously recorded webinar where we discussed the project in detail.
The Foundation plans to further expand and distribute the campaign widely with translated materials, as well as more audiovisual resources soon.
Materials tailored for 12 different communities, including Cantonese-speaking, Ethiopian, Filipino, Haitian, Hmong, Korean, Micronesian, Mandarin-speaking, Nigerian, Somali, Vietnamese and West African, have been developed. These resources range from social media content, fact sheets, flyers, and infographics to PowerPoint presentations and short videos. The materials can be shared digitally, in print and via mail, catering to the needs of community members, healthcare professionals, and faith leaders.
The project was financially supported by Bristol Myers Squibb, and Weber-Shandwick provided expert consultation on best practices for effective and impactful dissemination of materials
For more information or resources specific to your community, or to learn more about the campaign, contact Beatrice Zovich, MPH, program manager, at beatrice.zovich@hepb.org.
Your support in spreading awareness about the campaign and educating various communities on the link between hepatitis B and liver cancer is greatly appreciated.
It's inspiring to see the efforts to develop a multicultural communications campaign that caters to twelve diverse communities. The range of resources, from social media content to infographics and videos, ensures that valuable information is accessible to a wide audience. The collaboration with graphic design support from Weber-Shandwick and BMS highlights a commitment to creating culturally sensitive materials that resonate with each community.
As these resources continue to expand and evolve, the potential for positive impact in reducing the prevalence of hepatitis B-related liver cancer is substantial. The Foundation's proactive approach and emphasis on community engagement pave the way for a brighter future in promoting health and well-being for all.
About hepatitis B: The world’s most common serious liver infection, chronic hepatitis B, is caused by a virus that attacks and injures the liver. Each year up to 1 million people die from hepatitis B worldwide, even though it is preventable and treatable. Hepatitis B is a “silent epidemic” because most people do not have symptoms when they are newly or chronically infected. Thus, they can unknowingly infect others and continue the spread of hepatitis B. For people who are chronically infected but don’t have any symptoms, their livers still are being silently damaged, which can result in serious liver diseases such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.
About the Hepatitis B Foundation: As the world’s leading hepatitis B advocacy and research organization, the Hepatitis B Foundation is one of the most active proponents of improving hepatitis B screening, prevention and treatment of the disease. We are the only nonprofit organization solely dedicated to finding a cure for hepatitis B and improving the quality of life for those affected worldwide through research, education and patient advocacy. Founded in 1991, the Hepatitis B Foundation is based in Doylestown, Pa., with offices in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. To learn more, go to www.hepb.org read our blog at hepb.org/blog, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@hepbfoundation) or call us at 215-489-4900.
