Asian empowerment via Hepatitis B ads
Sep 29th, 2008 by dino-ray
Wow. I have not posted in por vida. Things have been so hectic because I am so popular. Actually, I have just been gallivanting around town like a mad man. Speaking of, I have ALMOST caught up with my new favorite show, Mad Men and I aim to dress like that everyday. Even if I am just going to the grocery store.
Anyways, the other day while I was waiting at the 16th and Mission BART stop, I saw this:
I have seen these Hepatitis B awareness ads all over SF and at first I was all, “Why do all these Hepatitis B people have to be Asian?”
Then, I did my research via the always reliable Wikipedia:
Hepatitis B virus infects the liver of hominoidae, including humans, and causes an inflammation called hepatitis. It is a DNA virus and one of many unrelated viruses that cause viral hepatitis. The disease, originally known as “serum hepatitis”, has caused epidemics in parts of Asia and Africa, and it is endemic in China and various other parts of Asia. About a third of the world’s population, more than 2 billion people, have been infected with the hepatitis B virus. This includes 350 million chronic carriers of the virus. The acute illness causes liver inflammation, vomiting, jaundice and - rarely - death. Chronic hepatitis B may eventually cause liver cirrhosis and liver cancer - a fatal disease with very poor response to current chemotherapy. The infection is preventable by vaccination.
So apparently the Asian community has a big Hepatitis B problem - and it’s not the bad kind. Actually, the word “hepatitis” isn’t exactly good either. Nonetheless, it is admirable that they are using Asians in the ads. Still, what the hell is up with the superhero vibe of the ads? I mean, c’mon - was there absolutely NO other way to promote Hepatitis B awareness?
It’s just so…tacky.
Or…you can look at it the other way. If you get Hepatitis B and then get cured, you become a superhero. How clever.