“Knowledge is power” – I want to be a Hep Hero so I can be part of an amazing team who work together to raise awareness and increase knowledge of viral hepatitis among people from the culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Victoria.
I was born in Vietnam where the hepatitis infections have reached an alarming rate. Nevertheless, there is limited knowledge and awareness of the disease in the population. I have a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacology, a Masters in International Health Management, and a Masters in Public Health. In my role at the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health as a Community Engagement and Projects Officer, I work with people from refugee and migrant backgrounds around blood-borne viruses (such as hepatitis) and sexually transmissible infections.
I began working with Hepatitis Victoria as part of my final year placement for my Masters of Public Health to understand more the burden of hepatitis B and C within the Vietnamese community in Melbourne, including the delivery of education sessions with Vietnamese groups and organisations.
I think it’s very important to make the information about viral hepatitis more accessible and culturally appropriate for the culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Once people have knowledge of viral hepatitis, they are empowered to make informed decisions about getting testing and treatment for viral hepatitis.
Once people have knowledge, they are empowered to support people affected by the disease as well as fight against stigma, judgement and discrimination.
Join the Hep Heroes team! Spread the message and together we can eradicate viral hepatitis.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands where we work - the lands of the Woi-Wurrung Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nations. We express our gratitude to them for their continued care and curation of these lands and waters. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.
LiverWELL observes and honours the Kulin Nation's intrinsic connection to land, sky and water, and the creator Bunjil. LiverWELL is committed to being led and informed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders on bridging health outcomes for communities and improving liver health.
