Refugees in numbers of up to 200,000 have stressed the health care systems of South Florida. The incidence of active pulmonary tuberculosis has increased in parallel with the influx of refugees. Health problems as well as mortality statistics among the refugees correlate well with the health and mortality statistics of the countries where refugenesis originated. The curative health sector has experienced well documented overcrowding conditions. The funds available to cover the health expenses of these immigrants are very limited in many cases and non-existent in others. The health expenses of immigrants who are not officially classified as refugees (according to the Refugee Act of 1980) present the most serious problem for Dade County. Asthma, parasite related disorders, late syphilis, primary malnutrition, and advanced tuberculosis are some of the diseases seen in refugees. Careful attention to history, physical findings and simple laboratory tests may provide a diagnosis before technologically sophisticated studies are done.

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economic aspect immigrant geographic distribution Florida resource allocation Cuba psychological aspect health care therapy United States human Refugees public health Haiti