The purpose of this qualitative, exploratory study was to better understand the needs of immigrants and refugees and how they are affected by poverty and post-immigration stresses. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews with 62 health and social service providers working with immigrants in the state of Minnesota. Although the state is home to many refugees who were victims of torture or severe deprivation in their home countries, the majority of providers defined the principal needs of their clients as affordable housing, jobs, and access to health services rather than needs related to health conditions or services per se. The providers' open-ended comments painted a picture of the ways in which post-immigration experiences lead to tangible stresses that compromise immigrants' health and well-being.

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Needs Assessment refugee Health Care Surveys poverty human epidemiology Refugees health service clinical practice Minnesota Social Work Health Services Needs and Demand health personnel attitude human rights Attitude of Health Personnel United States Physician's Practice Patterns Humans male female verbal communication Narration Article organization and management adult migration posttraumatic stress disorder Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Emigration and Immigration Delivery of Health Care health care delivery Child