Objectives: An innovative curriculum was developed to equip public health students with appropriate attitude and skills to address healthcare of asylum seekers. Methods: Implemented in 2005 the curriculum included: (1) didactic sessions covering epidemiology and health sequelae of torture, asylum laws, and approaches to identify survivors’ healthcare needs; (2) panel discussions with survivors and advocates; and (3) participating in medico-legal process of asylum seeking. Complementary mixed methods evaluations included pre- and post-curriculum questionnaires, formal curriculum evaluations, final papers and oral presentations. Results: 125 students participated. Students showed improved knowledge regrading sequelae of abuse and survivors’ healthcare needs (P < 0.01), improved attitudes towards working with survivors (P < 0.05) and self-efficacy in identifying at-risk populations and addressing healthcare of survivors (P < 0.05). Students reported increased desire to pursue global health and human rights careers. Conclusions: As an advocacy and cultural competency training in public health practice addressing healthcare of refugees domestically, this curriculum was well received and effective, and will also help students better serve other similar populations. Population case-based domestic opportunities to teach global health and health and human rights should be effectively utilized to develop a well-equipped global health corps. © 2015, Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+).

Public health students curriculum Asylum seeker Health human rights

curriculum refugee Education, Public Health Professional human Refugees survivor Survivors statistics and numerical data Cultural Competency cultural competence human rights Humans psychology male female medical education Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice organization and management adult global health politics attitude to health Torture