Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 13, Issue 6, 2011, Pages 990-995

Communicable and non-communicable diseases among recent immigrants with implications for primary care; A comprehensive immigrant health approach (Article)

Asgary R.* , Naderi R. , Swedish K.A. , Smith C.L. , Sckell B. , Doorley S.
  • a Departments of Preventive Medicine, Medicine, and Medical Education, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Box 1255, One Gustave L Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, United States
  • b Department of Medical Education, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Box 1255, One Gustave L Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, United States
  • c Department of Preventive Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Box 1255, One Gustave L Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, United States
  • d Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States
  • e Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Box 1255, One Gustave L Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, United States
  • f Valley Homeless Healthcare Program, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

Data on health status of immigrants and practice recommendations for providers are scarce. We evaluated 99 recent immigrants from developing nations in an immigrant clinic in New York City to assess epidemiology of diseases and to recommend potential screening. Providers received ongoing training. Majority patient was from West Africa and Central America with a mean of 2.1 years in the US. Two thirds were uninsured. Half had positive PPD. Half had prior hepatitis B infection, which was higher in Africans. One quarter had intestinal parasites. Two thirds were overweight; 33% had hypercholesterolemia, 26% were hypertensive, and 25% of women had a Pap smear previously. Eosinophila was higher in African and males (P < 0.05) but didn't predict stool O&P. Recent immigrants were at risk for chronic non-communicable diseases, similar to the US population. Providers should balance their focus on communicable and non-communicable diseases. We recommend practice-based training and on-site comprehensive health services. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Author Keywords

Screening Communicable immigrants Non-communicable diseases Refugees

Index Keywords

mass screening human Communicable Diseases middle aged chronic disease United States Young Adult Humans Medical Records male Emigrants and Immigrants female medical record Article communicable disease adult migration New York City primary health care
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-80755132263&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-011-9476-3&partnerID=40&md5=c15b7dbe448f06cb4bbd17e056a315e0
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-011-9476-3
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 7
Original Language: English