Friday, December 16, 2011

AAHI Says Farwell to Program Coordinator, Atyya Chaudhry


AAHI Community,

Today AAHI bid a heartfelt farewell to Program Coordinator, Atyya Chaudhry. After having started with AAHI as in intern during her last semester at the University of Maryland College Park, Atyya joined our staff in May of 2010. With her, she brought an unmatched level of energy, enthusiasm, and passion which was coupled with a sincere dedication of serving the community. In her time here, she has contributed tremendously to our growth. She has played a critical role in our health education efforts and is the cornerstone of our ethnic media health education campaign and social media activities. Additionally, she has supported numerous AAHI projects and events and has proven to be indispensable. It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to an impressive young professional. We know that she will continue to be a champion for Asian American health in her future endeavors.

Atyya - we wish you all the best!

Study of Children with Hepatitis B Virus Infection

The Hepatitis B Research Network (HBRN)
Observational Study of Children with Hepatitis B Virus Infection in North America
What is the purpose of this study?
This is a multicenter Hepatitis B virus (HBV) study seeking to enroll approximately 500 children with chronic HBV in order to better evaluate the natural history of this infection in children. We hope to better understand the effects HBV and develop effective treatment strategies with currently available therapies. Study visits will be conducted for 5 years at the time of routine clinical visits. One of the principal aims of the study is to try to understand factors associated with conversion of E antigen to E antibody (which is thought to give the child with HBV a more favorable outlook.) Johns Hopkins represents the only pediatric site in the mid-Atlantic and plans to enroll 80-100 participants. Children who are eligible for future treatment trials will first need to be enrolled in the observational natural history study.

Who can enroll?
Participants are chronically infected with HBV and must be 6 months old to 18 years old.

Who is conducting the research study?
The study is being conducted by researchers at 7 locations in the United States and Canada. It is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Johns Hopkins University is one of the sites. The research team at this site is:
• Dr. Kathleen Schwarz, MD, Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist, Director, Liver Center, Principal Investigator
• Ying Yuan, MHA, Research coordinator
• Douglas Mogul, M.D., M.P.H. Fellow, Pediatric GI

What will be collected in the study?
The research visits will take place at the same time as the clinical visits. These visits will include a physical exam, medical or interval history, laboratory tests and questionnaires. Blood drawn as part of the study will take place at the same time as routine laboratory tests. The clinical visits and clinical lab tests will be billed to third party payors as is usually done for clinical visits. The research part of the visit will be questionnaires and research blood tests to be done on the same blood draw as the clinical tests.

How long does the study last?
This study lasts for up to 5 years.

What if I don’t want to be in the study or if I want to drop out of the study?
Your participation is voluntary. Your child will receive the same level of care whether you decide to participate or not. You are free to leave the study at any time.

Who can I contact if I have questions?
Please call Ying Yuan at 410-955-9161 or email her at yyuan19@jhmi.edu

Please click this link to download a flyer. https://docs.google.com/open?id=0Bzy_tqMuNorzNjExMTI2YjYtMjMwZC00ZDgwLTkxM2MtNTRkYjM5ZTkwZDFh

Thursday, December 15, 2011

HIV Prevention and Counseling services

AAHI Community,

Check out this free resource:

Gapbuster Learning Center, Inc. offers free HIV counseling, testing and referral services here at the Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center on Fridays from 4-7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10-2 p.m.

For more information, please contact Yvette Butler, MD or Sheila Clyburn, RN at (301) 779-GBLC (4252) or email gblc_office@yahoo.com.

Address: Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center
3300 Briggs Chaney Road
Silver Spring, Maryland 20904
Tel # (240) 777-8400

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Job Opening at the Asian American Health Initiative

The Primary Care Coalition in collaboration with the Asian American Health Initiative seeks a highly organized and motivated individual for the position of Program Coordinator for Health Education and Health Communication. For more information on the job description, requires, and how to apply, please visit the Asian American Health Initiatives website: http://aahiinfo.org/phpages/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/AAHI-Program-Coordinator.pdf

Recap of Past Events

AAHI Community,

These past two weeks we have had a few events in the community:

On Tuesday, November 29, we celebrated Native American Heritage Month and attended the American Indian Heritage Day Pow-Wow and Health Fair. This event was held at Holy Cross Hospital. We provided health education on various topics and conducted bone density screenings. We thank the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs, Holy Cross Hospital, and our Minority Outreach and Technical Assistance Partners for working on this event!
11-29-11 American Indian Pow-Wow & Health Fair

On Saturday, December 10, we worked with the Korean Community Service Center of Greater Washington (KCSC) to coordinate the results and vaccination round one as a part of the comprehensive Active Care and Treatment (A.C.T.) of Hepatitis B in the Korean Community Project. At this event, community members participated in a health lecture, received one-on-one consultations with physicians regarding their results, and had the opportunity to receive a free vaccination if they were in need of one. We thank our partners and volunteers at KCSC, our volunteer physicians, and our Health Promoter team for making this such success!
12-10-11 KCSC ACT Hep B Results Day

On Tuesday, December 13, we worked with a dental hygienist with Montgomery County, to provide a training to our Health Promoters on Oral Health and Hygiene. The informative training provided an overview of oral health conditions such as cavities, gingivitis, and periodontists, and discussed methods of maintaining proper oral hygiene and preventing oral health disease. We thank Verna Richardson, RDH, MS, for this helpful training!
12-13-11 Health Promoter Training: Oral Health

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Farewell Fall 2011 Interns


Just a few months, AAHI welcomed Fall 2011 interns, Candace Lee and Carolyn Ho, and already it is time to bid them farewell. Candace and Carolyn joined us from the School of Public Health at the University of Maryland College Park. This internship is a part of their undergraduate academic program.

Candace and Carolyn took initiative and actively worked with AAHI on various projects and programs. They conducted small business outreach, participated in outreach events, and developed health education articles. They provided tremendous support in AAHI's ongoing hepatitis B project efforts.

Candace and Carolyn also worked on individual research projects in their respective interests. They orally presented their in-depth research to AAHI staff- Candace presented on Health IT, and Carolyn presented on Mental Health First Aid.

At AAHI, we are proud to graduate another group of interns from our internship program. We thank Candace and Carolyn for their hard work and passion. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors!

Words of advice from Candace and Carolyn:

"Come in with an open mind and a willingness to accept any opportunities or challenges that come before you because you will never know where these experiences can take you in the future. You might be surprised. For me, I never expected that I could do health outreach events, but through this internship I learned something new about myself." - Candace Lee

"This internship gives you great exposure and experiences in many public health projects and activities. You’ll meet a lot of great people that you can learn from too. Take initiative and put yourself out there, you’ll never know what opportunities can come from it." - Carolyn Ho

Friday, December 9, 2011

Dec. 4 - 10 is National Influenza Vaccination Week

AAHI Community,

This week, December 4 - 10, is National Influenza Vaccination Week. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "An annual flu vaccine is the single best way to prevent this serious illness."

Montgomery County has one more vaccination date as a part of Montgomery County's 2011-2012 Seasonal Flu Vaccination Campaign. The vaccinations are by appointment only. Click here for more information on the flu clinic and how to make an appointment.

When: Thursday, December 15, 2011
Time: 2:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Germantown Health Center
12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown, MD 20874

Thursday, December 8, 2011

FREE English Classes!

AAHI Community,

The Literacy Council of Montgomery County will continue offering FREE English classes for adults here at the Regional Services Center. There are classes for beginning, intermediate, and advanced. The classes are held at various centers throughout the County and at various times. Click here for more information, and please share with family and friends!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Cancer and the Asian American and Pacific Islander Community

AAHI Community,

This informative video on Cancer in the Asian American & Pacific Islanders community is by the National Cancer Institute.

World AIDS Day


AAHI Community,
Today, December 1st, is World AIDS Day. HIV and AIDS do affect the Asian American community, and we can help raise awareness.

Did you know...?

- Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that Asian American and Pacific Islanders have the highest rate of increase of new HIV infections in our nation?

- While the rate of HIV infection is increasing in the Asian American and Pacific Islanders group, it is decreasing in other racial and ethnic groups.

- Asian American and Pacific Islanders have the lowest HIV screening rate when compared to all racial and ethnic groups.


It is important to increase our knowledge about HIV/AIDS and raise awareness in our communities. You can read more about HIV/AIDS in the Asian American and Pacific Islanders by clicking here.