South Asian Hepatitis Initiative
The South Asian Hepatitis Initiative (SAHI) works to address hepatitis B and C among South Asian-born and diaspora communities in New York City.
Viral hepatitis is very common in South Asia and among people of South Asian origin living in the United States. New York City is home to large and diverse South Asian communities.
100M+People living with Hep B
30M+People living with Hep C
300,000Hep B deaths each year
120,000Hep C deaths each year
Figures for the World Health Organization's South-East Asia Region.
Our Objectives
- Raise awareness about hepatitis B and C among South Asian-born and diaspora populations.
- Provide screening, immunization and referral services for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and liver disease.
- Build community and provider partnerships for hepatitis B and C prevention.
- Identify and reduce cultural and language barriers to immunization, screening and treatment.
Find Testing & Care
Free and low-cost testing and care near you
- Hepatitis BVisit nyc.gov/health/hepb, or call 311 and say "Hepatitis B."
- Hepatitis CVisit nyc.gov/health/hepc, or call 311 and say "Hepatitis C."
SAHI Materials
- South Asian Hepatitis B Postcard
- South Asian Hepatitis C Postcard
- SAHI Pocket Card — Hepatitis B
- SAHI Pocket Card — Hepatitis C
- SAHI Hepatitis 101 Presentation
For more hepatitis-related public education materials, see the Hep Free NYC materials library.
Research & Reading
- Report Health of Asians and Pacific Islanders in New York City NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 2021
- Data Dashboard Hepatitis-related deaths and prevalence by country Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination
- Article Meeting Individuals Where They Are: A Conversation on Breaking Down Barriers to HCV Screening and Care for London's Pakistani Community Clinical Care Options, 2021
- Article Improving uptake of hepatitis B and hepatitis C testing in South Asian migrants in community and faith settings using educational interventions International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2020
- Article Let's Talk About B: Barriers to Hepatitis B Screening and Vaccination Among Asian and South Asian Immigrants in British Columbia Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 2018
- Article How the CIA's fake Hepatitis B vaccine program in Pakistan helped fuel vaccine distrust Vox, 2021