Our Story
In its 25th year of service—in addition to being a key resource for building HIV/AIDS awareness and delivering HIV prevention and education in the Asian community—MAP is focused on two critical issues:
Focus 1. Youth development and safety of API youth, especially le***an, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth
In the face of an often-hostile environment where harassment, bullying and isolation can lead to poor self-esteem, depression and even suicidality among API and/or LGBTQ youth, MAP mentors, encourages and supports the health and resilience of these youth. These are our sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors—they are our future leaders and community members.
Focus 2. The widespread epidemic of hepatitis B in the API community
APIs account for half of the estimated 1.25 million U.S. cases of chronic hepatitis B, and half of the liver cancer-related deaths. Today, it is estimated that as many as 1 out of 10 APIs are chronically infected with HBV. This deadly community health disparity devastates whole families—but through our education and outreach leading to screening, vaccination and treatment—APIs need not become infected, go undiagnosed and without treatment or suffer in silence.