So here is our challenge - finding, educating, testing, and vaccinating those most vulnerable for hepatitis B infection. Specifically, the over 100,000 Asians or Pacific Islanders living in Maricopa County, Arizona (greater Phoenix area). From U.S. Census data we know that of the 100,000 Asians or Pacific Islanders counted in Maricopa County in 2005, 70% are foreign-born and 20% live in households that are linguistically isolated.
Maricopa County is 9,200 square miles and includes the cities of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe (where Arizona State University is located), Glendale (location of the next Super Bowl and home to the current American Idol winner), and twenty-something other incorporated small towns and cities. It is home to 3.8 million people and growing. And with the exception of a few neighborhoods in Phoenix and Tempe it is, as my European friends like to call it, one-story America. Texas may have invented sprawl, but we certainly have perfected it here in the Valley of the Sun.
There is no Chinatown, Koreatown, Little Tokyo, or Little Saigon. Asians and Pacific Islanders are scattered throughout the valley and like the rest of the community, are recent residents. In 1980, the population of Maricopa County was 1.5 million. In 1990, it was 2.2 million. Now it is around 3.8 million. The local wisdom states that for every five residents that arrive two move out.
Housing is affordable, though not as affordable as it was three or four years ago. The economy is growing and it seems like every month a new mega-mall opens up down the street. Light rail is coming soon. And with the exception of a few months during the summer, it is absolutely the best place to live. We are one of the fastest growing regions and currently the third largest county in America after Los Angeles County and Cook County (Chicago).
And if you think it is a challenge to find, educate, test, and vaccinate Asians and Pacific Islanders in Maricopa County about this silent killer called hepatitis B, try finding fresh fish?
There is a test, there is a vaccine, and there is treatment. Thanks for reading.
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