Care for your health, care for your family
The Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) held an event last Saturday to coincide with World Hepatitis Day, with approximately 80 individuals from Chinese backgrounds attending.
The event was for the Chinese community, as this community is identified as a high risk group, with higher rates of hepatitis B and a greater risk of liver cancer related to hepatitis, compared to other Australians.
Professor Elizabeth Powell, a staff specialist in Hepatology at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and Director of the Centre for Liver Disease Research at the University of Queensland spoke to community members at the event.
“It is very important for communities to talk openly about hepatitis B,” said Professor Powell.
“Hepatitis B affects the liver and chronic hepatitis B is an important cause of liver cancer world-wide.
“Without proper management, some people with chronic hepatitis B will develop progressive liver disease and are at risk of developing liver cancer.”
“However, the good news is we know that regular check-ups can reduce the risk of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer,” said Professor Powell.
The Professor also spoke about hepatitis B transmission, prevention, management and treatment and the use of herbal medicines and health supplements– which is common in the Chinese community.
Community members made the most of the opportunity to ask questions to experts in the field and have open discussions about a disease which is often misunderstood and underrepresented.
For over 20 years ECCQ has been funded by Queensland Health to engage with refugee and migrant communities to improve their awareness of communicable diseases, and reduce the risk factors which would result in higher infection rates.
ECCQ will host another event, open to the public, on Saturday 6 August for multicultural communities in the Logan area, in partnership with the Honourable Cameron Dick, Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services.
> For event details click here http://www.eccq.com.au/event/healthy-liver-day/
> To find out more about ECCQ go to www.eccq.com.au
Contact
Eadie Hancock
Communications & Media Officer
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07 3844 9166
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ECCQ Ltd has been established for 40 years as the peak body in Queensland for ethnic communities and multiculturalism. ECCQ, and its wholly-owned divisions, encourage and support multiculturalism through community engagement, education and training, health promotion and culturally appropriate aged care service provision.
