Approaches to increase access to community-based infectious disease control for ethnically, racially, and religiously marginalised populations: a scoping review

Abstract

Marginalised populations often have reduced access to infectious disease prevention interventions, and as a result of this and other socioeconomic factors, these populations are at a higher risk of disease. Here, we reviewed the literature of community-based interventions delivered at the individual level across multiple diseases, and focused on how to increase access to infectious disease interventions for ethnically, racially, and religiously marginalised populations. Most of the included studies only focused on a single disease and used quantitative descriptive methods. We noted the lack of research, especially in low-income and middle-income countries. Common themes on the adaptations made included the importance of trust, descriptions of how the community was engaged at a deep level, and highlighting the importance of where interventions were delivered. We conclude that there is a need for more implementation research on this topic. Understanding how to increase access is crucial for achieving universal health coverage, which is also important from a global health security perspective, especially in an era when large-scale epidemics and pandemics are becoming more common.