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When the subject is communicable disease, there is no such thing as "somebody else's problem". In Western Europe, communicable diseases are responsible for about 7% of total deaths and cause more than 60% of all acute illnesses. Today's mobile societies mean that communicable diseases cannot be sealed off. Communicable diseases are crossing national borders through business travellers, holidaymakers, immigrants, refugees, as well as asylum seekersŐ (WHO: European Office. 2001) One positive approach to communicable diseases is to involve community members in education and health action. It is important to involve community members to de-stigmatising communicable diseases and to ensure community member know where and how to get help. Working with local refugee and asylum groups and community leaders can improve awareness of communicable disease such as TB and work towards reducing the fear and stigma associated with the disease. Community involvement can be the key to good health.

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