Causes:
Health,
Public Health
Mission: At HBI, our mission is to empower individuals and communities to achieve optimal health and well-being, with a particular focus on liver diseases, infectious diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis, and chronic conditions. Through culturally sensitive education, comprehensive support services, and collaborative partnerships, we strive to eliminate health disparities, particularly in vulnerable populations. We are dedicated to fostering a healthier, more equitable future by addressing social determinants of health and promoting proactive engagement in one's health journey. HBI is committed to making a lasting impact on the communities we serve, ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, has access to the resources and support they need for a thriving and fulfilling life."
Results: Since 2006, HBI has provided in-person education to over 79,271 individuals and screened over 23,297 at-risk individuals for hepatitis B (average infection rate of 1.09%). Since 2013, HBI has screened over 21,580 at-risk individuals for hepatitis C (average infection rate of 4.96%). HBI has also screened over 3,935 individuals for HIV since 2016 (average infection rate of 1.14%).
Programs: Hepatitis B Initiative of Washington, DC (HBI), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, was originally founded in 1997 by Leslie Hsu Oh when she was a student at Harvard University and later established in the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia, area in 2002. HBI received its 501(c)3 status in 2006.
HBI’s original focus was screening, testing, vaccination, and treatment for hepatitis B. In recent years, HBI has expanded our focus to include other infectious diseases, such as HCV, HIV, and COVID-19. We are committed to closing the gap in healthcare access related to social determinants of health, particularly linguistic and cultural, technology, and transportation barriers to health.
By expanding our screening and testing services, we are adding a layer of confidentiality for individuals who are hesitant to seek testing solely for the culturally sensitive stigma of diseases like HIV and viral hepatitis. We also provide health education in various community settings, normalizing discussion of culturally sensitive diseases with frank, fun, and informative education sessions.
