New Hepatitis B Education and Screening Program Offered to Subaru Employees

DOYLESTOWN, PA, October 09, 2010 (Press-News.org) The Hepatitis B Foundation partnered with AsianWeek Foundation to offer a new hepatitis B education and free testing program to Subaru employees in Cherry Hill, NJ to raise awareness about the silent epidemic of hepatitis B that impacts up to two million Americans. Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the world's leading cause of liver cancer, and in the U.S., liver cancer is the fastest growing cancer with a five-year survival rate of less than 10 percent.

"We are impressed that a major corporation like Subaru is taking the lead to educate their employees about the public health threat of hepatitis B," said Joan Block, RN, BSN, executive director and co-founder of the Hepatitis B Foundation, a national nonprofit research and disease advocacy organization. "Hepatitis B is preventable and treatable, yet too many Americans are unaware about this chronic liver infection that can lead to premature death from liver cancer."

Two billion people (1 in 3) worldwide have been infected with HBV and one million people die each year from the fatal consequences of hepatitis B. In the U.S. alone, one in 20 Americans has been infected with HBV and up to two million are chronically infected. African American adults have the highest rates of new, acute HBV infections despite a safe vaccine; and nearly 1 in 10 Asian Americans has been chronically infected with HBV and lives with the greatest risk of progressing to liver cancer.

"With the medical tools now available, we want to stop liver cancer --- the greatest cause of deaths from cancer in America," said Ted Fang, co-founder of the successful San Francisco Hep B Free campaign and director of AsianWeek Foundation. "With the support of corporate partners like Subaru, we are now getting the word out all across the nation that together we can end hepatitis B disease and liver cancer."

Subaru launched its relationship with the San Francisco Hep B Free campaign and AsianWeek Foundation in 2009 by donating a specially wrapped Subaru Legacy sedan, the "Hep B Hero Mobile," which has traveled to public awareness events and reached over 600,000 participants in 2010.

Hepatitis B can be diagnosed with a simple blood test, and can be prevented and treated. In fact, the HBV vaccine is the first designated "anti-cancer" vaccine and there are effective treatments to stop disease progression and give hope to those living with chronic HBV infections. Getting tested and vaccinated is an easy health decision that all Americans should make to protect themselves.

About the Hepatitis B Foundation: The Hepatitis B Foundation is the only national nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure and improving the quality of life for those affected with hepatitis B worldwide through research, education and patient advocacy. Visit http://www.hepb.org or call (215) 489-4900.

About the AsianWeek Foundation: The AsianWeek Foundation promotes and develops Asian Pacific American identity, community and diversity by bringing people together through cultural events, consulting and innovative programs. Visit http://www.AsianWeek.com.

About Subaru of America, Inc.: Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 dealers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. Visit http://www.subaru.com.

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