EASL Campus

A 32-year-old man from sub-Saharan Africa presents to your hepatology clinic with chronic hepatitis B, diagnosed during a routine health check. He has lived in Europe for 3 years, works in construction, and lacks stable health insurance. He admits to avoiding healthcare due to fear of judgment or potential legal consequences. He is unaware of his family’s infection status and expresses anxiety about confidentiality. He mentions feeling isolated due to cultural and linguistic barriers.

Which of the following statements aligns with the EASL Policy Statement on Ending Stigma and Discrimination?

A. Providing good clinical care is sufficient to address stigma; specific training or awareness of stigma is not necessary for healthcare providers.

B. Referring this patient to a community organization for migrant support is not a useful complement to medical care.

C. The EASL Policy Statement advises avoiding discussions about migration status or health coverage to prevent increasing patient anxiety.

D. Stigma surrounding hepatitis B is often linked to assumptions that liver disease results from personal lifestyle choices and is reinforced because affected individuals may belong to marginalised groups such as migrants.

E. Using terms such as “hepatitis B carrier” or “non-compliant patient” is acceptable in clinical practice as long as the clinical message is clear.

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