Get Involved

It is vital that we improve hepatitis B screening and access to care in our high-risk African communities. To do this, we need to work together! Everyone has an important role to play, from community and faith leaders, to health care providers, to business owners. Here are some of the things that you can do in your own communities:

For Community Leaders and Community-Based Organizations

  1. Host a community health forum on hepatitis B. You can use the CHIPO Powerpoint presentations to introduce hepatitis B as a health issue that needs to be addressed.
  2. Find a local Hep B United coalition partner that conducts community screening and education in the U.S., and talk about how you can work together to conduct community events.
  3. Start the conversation! Talk to your friends, family members and colleagues about the importance of getting tested for hepatitis B. You can use our #justB storyteller videos to help start the conversation at events. Access them here! Special consideration for Bunmi’s, William's, Bright's, Adama's, FK's, and Theobald's stories for inspiration! 
  4. Advocate for increased hepatitis B testing in your local community – talk to your health department, and local, city or state government officials to let them know that hepatitis B is an important health issue.
  5. Join CHIPO! There is strength in numbers, and we welcome all who are interested in helping us improve testing and care among African communities. Email beatrice.zovich@hepb.org to join our coalition. 

For Individuals

Get tested for hepatitis B! If you find that you are not infected, talk to your doctor about getting the hepatitis B vaccine to protect you. Because hepatitis B is more common among African communities, it is important that people who were born in Africa, or whose parents were born in Africa, be tested for hepatitis B infection. Hepatitis B is a silent disease, and most people feel well when they are infected, even when the virus is damaging their liver. The CDC has a quick and simple risk assessment that you can take to help you figure out whether you should be tested for hepatitis B. If you find out that you are living with hepatitis B, don't be afraid! People living with hepatitis B often live long and healthy lives. Visit our Newly Diagnosed page for tips and next steps.