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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Tianna Sims, Stempel School of Public Health, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St (HLS 557), Miami, FL 33199, (305)348-1838, tsims001@fiu.edu

BACKGROUND: The number of child immigrants in the United States is large and growing. A review of the health care needs of this population would be helpful to clinicians caring for immigrant and refugee children in this country. METHODS: Using MEDLINE files from 1993 to present, the literature related to immigrants and their health status was searched, using the keywords "immigrant," "refugee,” “health status," and "children,". The available literature was reviewed, as were cross-references from these articles. RESULTS: Many children come into the US with infectious diseases that pediatricians might be inexperienced in diagnosing. Immigrants usually forgo preventative care such as prenatal care, immunizations and dental care. When they do seek care it is intermittent and it usually occurs in an emergency room setting. There are numerous factors that influence the decision not to seek services. These factors include language barriers, lack of money, cultural differences and sometimes fear of being detained. These factors seriously obstruct access to longitudinal care in the child immigrant population. CONCLUSION: There must be changes at the federal level regarding immigration policy and health care so foreign-born children may properly care to their health needs. It is essential that doctors and other health professional have more training in the cultural and social barriers that immigrants might face in health care utilization.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the barriers facing health care utilization for immigrant children.
• Describe what needs to be done in order to enhance the health care of this vulnerable population.

Keywords: Immigrants, Children's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered