http://stanford.edu/class/humbio129s/cgi-bin/blogs/globalizationinfocomm/2009/04/30/b-aware-its-national-hep-b-awareness-month/ Just another Global Public Health weblog Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:00:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 http://stanford.edu/class/humbio129s/cgi-bin/blogs/globalizationinfocomm/2009/04/30/b-aware-its-national-hep-b-awareness-month/comment-page-1/#comment-61 ctran88 Sun, 03 May 2009 06:54:02 +0000 http://stanford.edu/class/humbio129s/cgi-bin/blogs/globalizationinfocomm/?p=141#comment-61 I agree that Hepatitis B deserves more media attention- not only in China, but everywhere else as well. I think it is ironic that diseases such as SARS and the Swine Flu can receive so much global attention within a relatively short amount of time while other diseases that are consistently affecting more people are not. Yes, SARS and the Swine Flu are serious matters, but there are other diseases that deserve more attention. The media does such an affective job of hyping certain diseases up that it draws attention away from other illnesses. I agree that Hepatitis B deserves more media attention- not only in China, but everywhere else as well. I think it is ironic that diseases such as SARS and the Swine Flu can receive so much global attention within a relatively short amount of time while other diseases that are consistently affecting more people are not. Yes, SARS and the Swine Flu are serious matters, but there are other diseases that deserve more attention. The media does such an affective job of hyping certain diseases up that it draws attention away from other illnesses.

]]> http://stanford.edu/class/humbio129s/cgi-bin/blogs/globalizationinfocomm/2009/04/30/b-aware-its-national-hep-b-awareness-month/comment-page-1/#comment-47 averylee Fri, 01 May 2009 05:14:38 +0000 http://stanford.edu/class/humbio129s/cgi-bin/blogs/globalizationinfocomm/?p=141#comment-47 I didn't realize the severity of the epidemic in China--affecting 13% of the population! it is surprising that it receives less attention. I wonder if the adds about HIV, SARS and the avian flu are funded by local or international groups. If international, then it may be that the international community perceive the other diseases as greater threats. I also found your post very relevant to today and the power of media to affect public health responses. As we can see from the swine flu, significant media attention can lead to quick and decisive action on media outbreaks, including dispersing Tamiflu, closing schools etc. Similarly, in Uganda, progressive actions taken by the government to educate citizens about HIV and promote condom use lowered rates of HIV infection greatly as compared to the increase in HIV infection after the government, and hence the media, did not provide correct information to the public about how to protect oneself. I hope the government and/or public health organizations will take more action on raising awareness about Hep B soon! I didn’t realize the severity of the epidemic in China–affecting 13% of the population! it is surprising that it receives less attention. I wonder if the adds about HIV, SARS and the avian flu are funded by local or international groups. If international, then it may be that the international community perceive the other diseases as greater threats. I also found your post very relevant to today and the power of media to affect public health responses. As we can see from the swine flu, significant media attention can lead to quick and decisive action on media outbreaks, including dispersing Tamiflu, closing schools etc. Similarly, in Uganda, progressive actions taken by the government to educate citizens about HIV and promote condom use lowered rates of HIV infection greatly as compared to the increase in HIV infection after the government, and hence the media, did not provide correct information to the public about how to protect oneself. I hope the government and/or public health organizations will take more action on raising awareness about Hep B soon!

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