Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 16, Issue 6, 2014, Pages 1130-1137

Physical and Mental Health Status of Iraqi Refugees Resettled in the United States (Article)

Taylor E.M.* , Yanni E.A. , Pezzi C. , Guterbock M. , Rothney E. , Harton E. , Montour J. , Elias C. , Burke H.
  • a Epidemic Intelligence Service, Immigrant, Refugee, and Migrant Health Branch, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, NE, Mail-stop E-03, Atlanta, GA 30333, United States, United States Public Health Service, Washington, DC, United States
  • b Immigrant, Refugee, and Migrant Health Branch, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, CDC, Atlanta, GA, United States
  • c Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, San Diego, CA, United States
  • d Immigrant, Refugee, and Migrant Health Branch, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, CDC, Atlanta, GA, United States
  • e Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Detroit, MI, United States
  • f Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Detroit, MI, United States
  • g Refugee Health Program, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, TX, United States
  • h Refugee Health Screening Program, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Boise, ID, United States
  • i Immigrant, Refugee, and Migrant Health Branch, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, CDC, Atlanta, GA, United States

Abstract

We conducted a survey among Iraqi refugees resettled in the United States to assess their physical and mental health status and healthcare access and utilization following the initial 8-month, post-arrival period. We randomly selected Iraqi refugees: ≥18 years of age; living in the United States for 8–36 months; and residents of Michigan, California, Texas and Idaho. Participants completed a household questionnaire and mental health assessment. We distributed 366 surveys. Seventy-five percent of participants had health insurance at the time of the survey; 43 % reported delaying or not seeking care for a medical problem in the past year. Sixty percent of participants reported one chronic condition; 37 % reported ≥2 conditions. The prevalence of emotional distress, anxiety, and depression was approximately 50 % of participants; 31 % were at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder. Iraqi refugees in this evaluation reported a high prevalence of chronic conditions and mental health symptoms despite relatively high access to healthcare. It is important for resettlement partners to be aware of the distinctive health concerns of this population to best address needs within this community. © 2013, Springer Science+Business Media New York (Outside the USA).

Author Keywords

Healthcare utilization Mental health Chronic conditions healthcare access Refugee

Index Keywords

refugee mental health human Health Behavior Refugees middle aged statistics and numerical data Iraq health status Aged Health Surveys chronic disease ethnology United States Young Adult Humans psychology Adolescent male female Aged, 80 and over very elderly adult Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic utilization Delivery of Health Care Health Services Accessibility health care delivery health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84912041038&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-013-9893-6&partnerID=40&md5=143c387b537f19c1cbbdbe7ba98df715
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-013-9893-6
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 35
Original Language: English