SIG Greatest Hits: TLM 2025-Hepatitis C SIG: HCV Infection Among International Refugees and Immigrants

Hepatitis C SIG: HCV Infection Among International Refugees and Immigrants

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The speaker discusses hepatitis C (HCV) among immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees, emphasizing the importance of understanding migration patterns and country of origin prevalence for targeted screening and treatment. Migration has nearly doubled since 1990, with forcibly displaced persons increasing dramatically due to conflicts, predominantly moving to lower-middle-income neighboring countries with strained health systems. Using Ukraine as an example, the talk highlights how refugees from high-prevalence countries impact host nations' health profiles. Barriers to care include stigma, fear, cultural differences, competing priorities, financial issues, and structural challenges. Successful interventions involve culturally sensitive, community-engaged programs with dedicated staff, language support, bundled screening (HCV, HIV, HBV, TB), and efficient linkage to treatment. Examples from Europe demonstrate high screening acceptance and treatment success when education, community mediation, and integrated services are provided. The talk stresses that diagnosing and treating HCV in immigrants is vital for elimination goals, with key barriers being cost and access, especially for irregular and forcibly displaced migrants.

Asset Subtitle

Talk delivered by Dr. Norah Terrault. Talk part of the pdate on Hepatitis C elimination in 2025 session.

Keywords

Hepatitis C

Immigrants and Refugees

Migration Patterns

Screening and Treatment

Barriers to Healthcare