Marginalization of these vulnerable groups by way of physical and sexual violence and extortion by police threatens the cross-over of infection from high-prevalence groups to the general population. In particular, decreased access to public health services such as syringe exchange programs and confiscation of syringes can precipitate a cascade of health harms.
The marginalization of these at-risk populations through violence and coercion can facilitate the transmission of disease from high-prevalence groups to the broader population. This is exacerbated by limited access to essential public health services like syringe exchange programs and confiscation of syringes, which can trigger a cascade of negative health effects.