Clinical Scorecard: Expanding the Global Response to Mpox: Analyzing the Needs of At-Risk Communities

At a Glance

Key Highlights

• Criminalization and stigma of sex work increase mpox transmission risk by limiting access to healthcare and prevention services.
• Targeted public health interventions including education campaigns, vaccination, and contact tracing are critical for protecting marginalized groups.
• Decriminalization of sex work is essential to improve healthcare access and enable effective outbreak control measures.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

• Recognize high-risk populations such as sex workers and massage therapists in mpox case identification.
• Encourage symptom reporting in a stigma-free environment to facilitate early diagnosis.

Management

• Implement targeted vaccination campaigns for high-risk groups rather than mass vaccination at this stage.
• Provide accessible healthcare services tailored to marginalized populations.

Monitoring & Follow-up

• Establish efficient contact tracing systems focused on high-contact occupational groups.
• Monitor outbreak trends in marginalized communities to adapt interventions accordingly.

Risks

• Criminalization of sex work increases risk by pushing workers into informal settings with limited healthcare access.
• Stigma discourages symptom reporting and participation in contact tracing, hindering outbreak control.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Sex workers and massage therapists in regions with ongoing mpox outbreaks

Targeted vaccination and preventive measures should be prioritized for these groups to reduce transmission risk.

Clinical Best Practices

• Develop inclusive public health education campaigns to raise awareness among marginalized populations and the general public.
• Promote decriminalization of sex work to facilitate healthcare access and reduce stigma.
• Ensure contact tracing efforts are conducted in a safe, non-punitive environment to encourage cooperation.
• Adapt interventions based on lessons learned from different geographic and cultural contexts to improve effectiveness.

References

• Original article on inclusive health strategies for sex workers in mpox response
• Cordero's reflection on mpox risk among massage therapists in the Philippines
• Discussion on healthcare access barriers due to criminalization
• Targeted vaccination efforts in African mpox outbreaks
• Effectiveness of contact tracing during COVID-19 pandemic