Recorded presentation

Heather M. Colvin, MPP, Office of Global Health Affairs, Humanitarian and Refugee Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary, 5600 Fishers Lane Rm 18-105, Rockville, MD 20857, 301/443-4158, HColvin@OSOPHS.DHHS.GOV

Infectious disease, physical and psychological trauma are the unfortunate realities of the refugee experience. Once refugees resettle in the United States, these conditions are exacerbated by the complexity of the American medical system, and the difficulties of providing linguistic and culturally appropriate health care. While there has been little qualitative research specifically focused on the long-term health status of resettled refugees, we are able to look at refugees as a subset of immigrants. Several studies suggest that immigrants’ health status declines the longer they are in the United States.

As dictated by legislation, economic self-sufficiency has been the principal focus of the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s (ORR) programs. Within recent years, ORR has seen the need to look at self-sufficiency holistically. As a result, health and well-being are starting to be seen as essential stepping stones to self-sufficiency.

How do you expand the network of organizations and individuals providing services to refugees at a time when budgets are strained at both the state and federal levels? An answer lies within the refugee community itself. There are a variety of community-based organizations started by and for refugees and other immigrants – many of whom are already providing health promotion and disease prevention services. ORR is developing an initiative that builds on the strength of ethnic communities by providing guidance on program development, creating a network of providers that share information, and encouraging partnerships to leverage resources.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) will be able to

• Identify special health risks of refugee populations.
• Discuss the unique burdens of refugees in navigating the complexity of the American medical system.
• Describe an initiative to expand the number and type of organizations providing health promotion and disease prevention services to refugees.

Keywords: Refugees, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.

Recorded presentation