The ABC’s of Refugee Health

Featured Speaker: Curi Kim, MD, MDH Director, Division of Refugee Health, Office of Refugee Settlement, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

By the end of 2017, 68.5 million people worldwide were displaced – 16.2 million of whom were displaced in 2017 itself. 25.4 million of the 68.5 million were refugees, an increase of 2.9 million from the year before. 

While they are in good health generally, refugees may fall sick in transition or while staying in new countries. Poor living conditions like camps with poor shelter, sanitation, and water/food insecurity, and changes in lifestyle that increase stress can put a refugee’s health at risk.  

Language barriers, discrimination, and their immigration status may make it difficult for refugees to access healthcare. 

In her lecture, Curi Kim, MD, MPH educates on the distinction between refugees and other migrant populations in the United States, and how these populations the United States, including how they are medically screened. She also examines how immigration status affects refugees and migrants’ eligibility for health benefits. Kim’s presentation provides a holistic approach to caring for refugees and other migrant populations in the United States, in a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive manner.