Experts in mental health, PTSD, Tuberculosis, HIV, substance misuse, screening for and documenting of tortures and violence, overdose prevention, and rehabilitation

Although in countries and communities there are no legal barriers to the implementation of treatment and preventive programs associated with socially significant diseases, and equal access to treatment is guaranteed by the Constitutions and other legislation, however, association with socially disadvantaged populations, stigma, lack of documentation, insurance and registration with health facilities create barriers to access to prevention, treatment, care and support. It causes unwillingness of these groups’ representatives to cooperate with health organizations, their limited involvement in testing and prevention programs, and low adherence to treatment because of behavioral specifics.

There are illegal law enforcement practices, as well as myths and stereotypes that jeopardize access of vulnerable populations with risky behavior to prevention and treatment, that leads to hidden spread of HIV, Tuberculosis and other socially significant diseases in those communities. Drug treatment remains hard to access for injection drug users and is even less accessible to women who use drugs because of public stigma, which discourages them from seeking help.