Hepatitis B Campaign

MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington Diane Abbott today gave her support for the B Aware Campaign to raise awareness of Hepatitis B.

Many thousands of deaths from hepatitis B among London’s ethnic communities could be prevented through improved education and destigmatising the disease, according to experts. However, the majority of these deaths can be prevented if the disease is detected early enough by testing those known to be particularly at risk. 90 per cent of babies infected by their mothers at birth will develop chronic hepatitis B yet babies born to infected mothers can be effectively vaccinated just after birth. Infected adults can keep the levels of circulating virus in their body effectively under control with drug therapy – although once infected, they can never be completely cured. 

Speaking about the campaign Diane said:

“London’s ethnic minority population is particularly at risk of hepatitis B infection, as they are more likely to have been in contact with places where the disease is prevalent. The B Aware Campaign is doing an excellent job of showing people the need to understand the disease in order to stop its devastating effects.”                                                                                                              

The Campaign is currently looking into potential ways of educating London’s ethnic minority communities about hepatitis B, including: workshops in community centres; materials in schools and colleges/universities; an education programme for midwives; pharmacy-based campaigns; and a stand at cultural events such as the Notting Hill Carnival.

 

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  For information on the B Aware Campaign contact Jenny Bickett, Fleishman-Hillard on 020 7395 7189 email: jenny.bickett@fleishmaneurope.com

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