Health Risks During Ukrainian Humanitarian Crisis

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• International Migration

Background:

• Over 6 million Ukrainian refugees have entered the EU, posing infectious disease control challenges.
• The European Union faces a potential new wave of COVID-19 and resurgence of diseases like tuberculosis and polio.
• This migration follows the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, adding complexity to public health management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To overview potential lung diseases and health risks for Ukrainian refugees in EU countries.
• To assess the impact of Ukrainian refugee health issues on host countries' public health systems.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of databases including PubMed, WHO, UNHCR, and government websites.
• Analysis of publications on health problems from Ukrainian migration and their public health impact.
• Review of prevalent contagious diseases in Ukraine.

Main Results:

• Ukrainian populations face significant public health issues: SARS-CoV-2, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, and vaccination program challenges.
• High risk of epidemics in transit and host countries due to disease prevalence and refugee dispersion.
• Refugee dispersal across large territories, rather than concentration in camps, presents unique challenges.

Conclusions:

• Health systems must adapt culturally and linguistically to meet refugee needs.
• Healthcare workers require training on diseases prevalent in refugees' countries of origin.
• Facilitating the collection of medical data on refugees' health is essential for effective management.