Refugee Health During COVID-19 and Future Pandemics

Abstract

Purpose of Review This commentary summarizes recent literature pertaining to healthcare challenges and needs during the current pandemic among refugees and asylum seekers residing in a host country. We conducted a literature review to identify barriers to shielding these structurally marginalized populations from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent Findings Many populations, including refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers, endure structural vulnerabilities in refugee camps and during their resettlement. These structural vulnerabilities include fear of contacting the healthcare system, cultural differences, housing insecurity, food insecurity, discrimination, lack of health insurance, health illiteracy and lack of readily available, and culturally appropriate educational materials. During pandemics, displaced persons suffer disproportionately from poorly managed chronic diseases, economic hardships isolation, and mental illnesses, in addition to the threats posed by the infectious agent. Summary Underserved groups, including refugee populations, shoulder a disproportionate burden of disease during pandemics. In order to mitigate the impact of preventable chronic illnesses and also reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other easilytransmissible and deadly viruses during pandemics, governments and public health authorities need to implement policies that allow refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced persons to be fully incorporated into their respective healthcare systems, so that they can be supported and protected and to reduce the amplifying networks of transmission.

COVID-19 epidemiology and changes in health service utilization in Uganda’s refugee settlements during the first year of the pandemic

“…Yet, despite increasing evidence about COVID-19 and its spread globally, few studies about the direct and indirect effects of the virus in humanitarian and forced displacement settings exist. Articles about refugee populations published so far include modeling studies estimating the number of cases and the role of non-pharmaceutical measures to control the spread of the disease [ 1 , 6 , 9 , 10 ]; reviews of context-specific vulnerabilities and possible impacts in conjunction with appeals for action and integration of refugees in national health responses [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]; and assessments of knowledge and attitude regarding COVID-19 [ 14 , 15 ]. One qualitative study reported on the impact of COVID-19 on utilization and access to maternal services among eleven refugee women in urban Kenya [ 16 ].…”

COVID-19 Impact in the Italian Reception System for Migrants during the Nationwide Lockdown: A National Observational Study

“…Since the beginning of the pandemic, the scientific community has warned about the differential impact of COVID-19 in diverse populations, in terms of clinical and socioeconomic outcomes. Scientists, as well as international bodies and organisations, have drawn attention to the need to protect and include migrants in national responses to the pandemic [ 3 , 4 , 5 ].…”

Modeling the spread of COVID-19 as a consequence of undocumented immigration toward the reduction of daily hospitalization: Case reports from Thailand

“…In addition, the model can be applied to other communities to better understanding the spread of the virus with the time evolution considering the immigration from other countries. This model might be applied to mitigate the COVID-19 spread associated with uncontrolled international immigration as it is now rising globally [ 25 ]. Indeed, our study pointed out the significant impacts of the undocumented worker who could be COVID-19 carriers and this could bring a new wave of COVID-19 to a country in which the immigration control measures are compromised.…”