The dramatic increase in the immigrant and refugee populations in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area (Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota) over the last several years has had a substantial impact on public health and health care in the region. Existing information suggest that immigrants and refugees experience many different health concerns and face greater barriers to health care access than the general population. However, the information available about the health status and health care access of immigrants and refugees in the Twin Cities is very limited. Twin Cities Metropolitan Public health agencies are struggling to understand how to address the unique needs of these growing populations to reduce health disparities. To address these issues, the nine local public health agencies in the Metro Area collaborated to conduct a Metro-wide refugee health assessment with the guidance of a community advisory committee. The assessment consisted of an inventory and analysis of existing quantitative data, a literature review, interviews with health care providers and key community informants, and focus groups with East African, Latino, and Southeast Asian immigrant and refugee community members. The advisory committee worked with public health agencies to identify priority areas and incorporate the findings into their agency plans to better meet the needs of immigrant and refugees in the Twin Cities.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will 1) Understand challenges and successes of a collaborative effort among nine local public health agencies and an immigrant and refugee advisory committee to conduct a health assessment of immigrant and refugee populations in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, 2) Identify the major health concerns facing immigrants and refugees in the Twin Cities, and 3) Understand how assessment results were incorporated into local public health agencies planning processes
Keywords: Immigrants, Refugees
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.