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Immigration and viral hepatitis.
Suraj Sharma1, Manuel Carballo2, Jordan J Feld1
1Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Journal of Hepatology
|May 13, 2015
Summary
Viral hepatitis affects 500 million globally, with migrants facing increased liver disease risk due to limited screening and treatment access in host nations. Improving identification and care for viral hepatitis in migrant populations is crucial.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology and Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Migration Health
Background:
- Global viral hepatitis (Hepatitis B and C) prevalence is high (500 million), causing 1.3 million deaths annually.
- Migrants, often from high-prevalence regions, pose challenges to host healthcare systems due to transmission risks.
- Inadequate screening, vaccination, and treatment standards exacerbate chronic liver disease and cancer in migrant populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the prevalence and disease burden of viral hepatitis among migrants.
- To examine current screening and treatment standards for immigrants and refugees.
- To identify strategies for improving viral hepatitis identification and care in migrant communities.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of global viral hepatitis prevalence data.
- Analysis of current healthcare policies and guidelines for migrant screening and treatment.
- Evaluation of existing outreach programs for viral hepatitis case identification.
Main Results:
- Migrant populations experience a disproportionately high burden of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Lack of universal screening and treatment protocols leads to delayed diagnosis and management.
- Current efforts, primarily small urban outreach programs, are insufficient to reach the majority of infected migrants.
Conclusions:
- There is an urgent need for standardized, accessible viral hepatitis screening, vaccination, and treatment for migrants.
- Enhanced public health strategies are required to address the growing burden of viral hepatitis in migrant populations.
- Improving healthcare access and awareness is critical to reduce liver disease morbidity and mortality among global migrants.
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