The refugee crisis is an urgent global health issue; the number of displaced people has escalated to its worst point in recorded history. To explore the refugee phenomenon as a social determinant of health, this article examines the experience of Somali refugees in Minnesota. Health care barriers unique to refugees are explored through the first-person perspective of one Somali woman who ultimately became a nurse. © 2016, Springer Publishing Company.

Global health social determinants of health Somali Refugee health Cultural competence nursing

communication barrier Communication Barriers refugee nurse Cultural Deprivation human wellbeing Refugees middle aged social determinants of health Aged Somali (citizen) Minnesota cultural competence nurse attitude Nurse's Role Humans psychology male female Aged, 80 and over very elderly organization and management adult Somalia utilization Culturally Competent Care transcultural care attitude to health