Summary

Hepatitis B, often called a “silent killer,” disproportionately affects Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, yet remains underrecognized and undertreated. Many infected individuals show no symptoms until irreversible liver damage or cancer develops. Only about 13% of people with chronic hepatitis B in the U.S. even know they have it.

The Trump administration’s slashing of medical research funding threaten progress toward a cure for hepatitis B. The budget calls for $1.8 billion in cuts to the National Institutes of Health and the elimination of all federal funding for the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, along with additional cuts to the Food and Drug Administration, which has final say on approving new drugs and treatments.

Read story on San Francisco Public Press

Summary

The 2025 government shutdown battle is centered on healthcare, deeply impacting vulnerable communities. New cuts to Medicaid, potential rollback of ACA premium tax credits, and budget reconciliation proposals threaten to leave millions uninsured in coming years. For Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, healthcare has surged as a top concern: surveys show large shares cite it as their biggest problem or expense. Opinions shift based on how policy trade‑offs are framed, indicating public understanding is fragile. As the 2026 midterms approach, policymakers must engage AAPI communities and explain health policy impacts clearly.

Read article by Tony Thai, AAPI Data.