Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and Chronic Hepatitis B
- Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) make up 5% of the total population in the United States, but account for more than 50% of 862,000 Americans living with chronic hepatitis B.
- The burden of chronic hepatitis B in the US is greater among people born in regions of the world with high or moderate prevalence of chronic hepatitis B, including much of Asia and the Pacific Islands.
- Nearly 70% of Asian Americans are foreign-born and estimates have found that approximately 58% of foreign-born people with chronic hepatitis B are from Asia
- Left untreated, approximately 15% to 25% of those with chronic hepatitis B infection develop serious liver disease, including cirrhosis, liver damage, and even liver cancer
Hepatitis B Testing Recommendations for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
CDC recommends hepatitis B testing for:
- All people born in regions of the world with high or moderate rates of hepatitis B. This includes all countries in Asia and the Pacific Islands
- All people born in the United States, who were not vaccinated at birth, and who have at least one parent born in a country with high hepatitis B rates. This includes all countries in East and Southeast Asia, except for Japan, and the Pacific Islands
- Household contacts and sexual partners of people with hepatitis B.

For additional information on other groups that should be tested for hepatitis B, see: Recommendations for Identification and Public Health Management of Persons with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection pdf icon[PDF – 28 pages]
Rationale for the Recommendation
- At least one-third of Asian Americans living in the United States are unaware of their chronic hepatitis B infection
- Prompt identification of chronic hepatitis B infection is essential to ensure infected people receive necessary care to prevent or delay onset of liver disease and services to prevent transmission to others
- Chronically infected patients have years of life to gain if medical evaluation and/or treatment is initiated early, before symptoms occur
- Multiple medications have been approved for treatment of adults with chronic hepatitis B
- Identifying people with chronic hepatitis B also allows for primary and secondary prevention. Close contacts can benefit from vaccination if never infected, or medical management if living chronic hepatitis B.
Guidelines and Recommendations
Chronic Hepatitis B Testing
- Recommendations for Identification and Public Health Management of Persons with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection pdf icon[PDF 28 pages]
- U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) – Screening for Hepatitis B Virus Infectionexternal icon
Hepatitis B Vaccination
- Prevention of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
MMWR 2018;67(No. RR-1):1–31
Healthcare Provider Resources
- AASLD: Update on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic hepatitis B: AASLD 2018 hepatitis B guidanceexternal icon
- Testing Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders for Hepatitis B pdf icon[PDF – 2 pages]
- Geographic Distribution of Chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Infection pdf icon[PDF – 1 page]
- Hepatitis B Information for Health Professionals
- Testing Recommendations for Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection
- Recommendations for Routine Testing and Follow-up for Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection
Printable document pdf icon[PDF – 2 pages] - Interpretation of Hepatitis B Serologic Test Results pdf icon[PDF – 1 page]
Patient Resources
- Hepatitis B Patient Education Resources
- CDC’s Know Hepatitis B campaign targeting AAPIs to get tested for hepatitis B
Page last reviewed: August 27, 2019