Hawaii residents suffer from higher rates of hepatitis B virus infection and liver cancer mortality compared to the rest of the United States, according to a recent report from the Hawaii Department of Health.
According to a release from the Governor’s Office, The Hawaii Hepatitis B Mortality and Liver Cancer report analyzed mortality data from 2000 to 2020 in an effort to improve liver health and reduce preventable deaths.
“The findings of this report reiterate the importance of eliminating hepatitis B infection in Hawaii through increased screening and immunizations,” State Health Director Dr. Kenneth Fink said in the release. “Deaths from hepatitis B are preventable. We can reduce deaths statewide and improve health equity by an ongoing commitment to culturally appropriate partnerships with the local Asian and Pacific Islander communities that are most affected.”
According to the release, the first comprehensive analysis of hepatitis B and liver cancer death data for Hawaii included several important findings. Hawaii has one of the highest hepatitis B death rates nationwide. In 2019, the rate for Hawaii (1.17deaths per 100,000) was almost three times the national rate (0.42 per 100,000). Hepatitis B death rates were higher among Asian and Pacific Islander (API) residents in Hawaii.
Rates for API residents were 1.2 to 1.4 times the rate of the state average. Liver cancer death rates in Hawaii were consistently higher than the national average, with Hawaii rates 1.1 to 1.8 times the national rates. This overall trend was driven by higher rates among male and API residents, compared to the rest of Hawaii.
The report also includes recommendations to reduce hepatitis B and liver cancer mortality, including additional research and reporting, improved data collection and sharing, and increased screening and immunizations, especially for API communities in Hawaii.
The report was a collaboration between the Health Department and external partners, including Hep Free Hawaii, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Hepatitis B Foundation.
To read the report and related materials, visit: https://health.hawaii.gov/harmreduction/new-hep-b-mortality-article/.
For local hepatitis B screening and immunization resources, visit: www.hepfreehawaii.org.