DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.26976.1 ISSN: 2398-502X

Viral hepatitis among vulnerable migrant and refugee populations in Europe - an expert perspective from the Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board

Thomas Vanwolleghem, Sara Valckx, Maria Buti, Sandra Dudareva, David FitzSimons, Greet Hendrickx, Sakshi Jindal, Sema Mandal, Elisa Martró, Philippa C Matthews, Manish Pareek, Camila A Picchio, Pierre Van Damme
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Viral hepatitis poses a major individual and public health problem among vulnerable migrant and refugee populations in Europe. Migrants constitute a ‘key population’ for viral hepatitis elimination, and often face structural and systemic challenges, including limited healthcare access, legal barriers, stigmatization and discrimination. Their vulnerable position, together with documented high prevalence of chronic hepatitis B, C, and D in their countries of origin, place them at particularly high risk of poor health outcomes related to viral hepatitis infection. The Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board (VHPB) convened a multidisciplinary group of experts to discuss barriers to viral hepatitis prevention, diagnosis, and care in migrant populations. This open letter collates outputs from this group, focusing on important barriers and challenges to viral hepatitis prevention, screening and linkage to care for vulnerable migrant populations. It further explores strategies to improve viral hepatitis healthcare for migrants, including equitable access, expanded vaccination and screening, culturally tailored awareness campaigns, community co-production of interventions, and strengthened health systems. It also underlines the importance of sustained policy recommendations, integrating viral hepatitis services into broader health frameworks, promoting international collaboration, and leveraging innovative solutions like digital health records and community-based point-of-care testing or home sampling. Despite commitments to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030, progress remains slow, with migrants disproportionately affected in the region. Urgent action is needed to close healthcare gaps, address inequities, ensure sustained funding, and implement coordinated efforts to protect vulnerable populations and achieve the elimination goals.

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