Hepatitis B is the most common, serious liver infection in the world. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) that specifically attacks the liver. The virus is transmitted through infected blood and bodily fluids, and can either cause an acute infection or a chronic infection. Acute infections can result in complete recovery. Chronic HBV infections, however, can result in serious disease progression such as cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer.

Hepatitis B disproportionately impacts African American adults who have the highest rates of new, acute infections despite a safe and effective vaccine, and Asian Americans who have the highest rates of chronic infections. Nearly 1 in 10 Asian Americans is chronically infected with hepatitis B, which significantly increases their risk of dying prematurely from liver cancer, the second deadliest cancer in the U.S. with a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. Depending on the specific Asian ethnic group, rates of chronic HBV infection range from between 4% to as high as 23%.

The good news is that there is a simple blood test to find out if you have been infected. There is a safe and effective vaccine to protect you and your loved ones against hepatitis B. And there are good treatments available to control, and sometimes even cure, chronic hepatitis B infections.

Fast Facts

In the World:

• 1 in 3 people have been infected with hepatitis B
• 350-400 million are chronically infected
• There are 10-30 million new infections each year
• 1 million people die each year (600,000 deaths are from liver cancer)
• Liver cancer is the 3rd leading cause of cancer deaths
• 80% of all liver cancer worldwide is due to chronic HBV infections
• HBV is the 2nd leading carcinogenic cause of death (the 1st is tobacco)

In the U.S.:

• 1 in 20 people have been infected with hepatitis B
• Up to 2 million Americans are chronically infected
• Nearly 1 in 10 Asian and Pacific Islander Americans live with chronic HBV
• There are 40,000 new infections each year
• 5,000-6,000 people die each year
• Liver cancer is the fastest rising cancer in the U.S., and the second deadliest
• Liver cancer is the 3rd leading cause of cancer deaths in Asian-American men

In Philadelphia:

• There are over 5,000 new hepatitis B cases among Pennsylvanians each year
• The majority of reported cases in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia are among those of African or Asian descent
• Chronic hepatitis B rates are highest in women between the ages of 20-39, and men between the ages of 40-59
• HBV screening programs in the Philadelphia API communities have uncovered prevalence rates of between 4% (Korean) and 23.5% (Chinese)
• The majority of infected individuals in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania are unaware of their infection
• Screening and vaccination rates remain low among Pennsylvania Asian-Americans (less than 10%)