Hawaii reports hepatitis B and liver cancer mortality rates higher than U.S. average

HONOLULU (Eagle News) – Hawaii has higher rates of hepatitis B virus infection and liver cancer mortality compared to the rest of the United States, according a study released by the State Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday, February 15.

(FILE) Pali Momi Medical Center in Aiea, located west of Honolulu. (Photo by Alfred Acenas, Hawaii-Pacific Bureau, Eagle News Service)

The Hawaii Hepatitis B Mortality and Liver Cancer report reviewed and analyzed mortality data from 2000 to 2020, and was published in order to guide local efforts to improve liver health and reduce preventable deaths.

The DOH publication is the first-ever comprehensive analysis of hepatitis B and liver cancer death data for the Aloha State. Some of the most important findings include the following:

  • Hawaii has one of the highest hepatitis B death rates nationwide. In 2019, the rate for Hawaii (1.17 per 100,000) was almost three times the national rate (0.42 per 100,000).
  • Hepatitis B death rates were higher among Asian and Pacific Islander (API) residents. Rates for API residents were 1.2 to 1.4 times the rate of the state average.
  • Liver cancer death rates in Hawaii were consistently higher than the national average, with rates 1.1 to 1.8 times the national rates. This overall trend was driven by higher rates among male and API residents, compared to the rest of the state.

Based on the analysis, the report makes recommendations to reduce the burden of hepatitis B and liver cancer mortality, including additional research and reporting; improved data collection and sharing; and increased screening and immunizations, especially for API communities.

“The findings of this report reiterate the importance of eliminating hepatitis B infection in Hawaii through increased screening and immunizations,” said State Health Director Dr. Kenneth Fink. “Deaths from hepatitis B are preventable, and we can reduce deaths statewide and improve health equity by ongoing commitment to culturally appropriate partnerships with the local Asian and Pacific Islander communities that are most affected.”

The development of this report was the result of a multi-sector collaboration between DOH and external partners such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Hepatitis B Foundation. The complete report and related materials are available to the public at https://health.hawaii.gov/harmreduction/new-hep-b-mortality-article/.

(Alfred Acenas, Hawaii-Pacific Bureau, Eagle News Service)