The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #65316

John J. Oirya, BS, Medical Assistant, College of Health and Human Performance, Brigham Young University, 580 N. 100E #1, Provo, UT 84609, 801-343-2571, johnoirya@hotmail.com

Purpose: This current study evaluates the need for a separate population category for refugees in the United States as opposed to the current method used by the U.S. Census Bureau of placing them in different racial groups with U.S. long-term residents (USLTR).

Materials & Methods: Questionnaire on behavior, lifestyle, and social determinants of health was administered to racially stratified random samples of 310 refugees in Utah. Collected data was processed, analyzed, verified using refugee focus groups and experts, and compared to the current data on USLTR in each racial/ethnic group.

Results: Refugees exhibited notable disparities compared to USLTR. Regardless of their racial differences, refugees generally lived below the poverty line in poor physical and social environment, demonstrated lower literacy levels, and indicated poor personal health practices and coping skills. They experienced difficulty acquiring and retaining satisfactory employment, limited access to health and community services, cultural and language barriers, poor social support networks, poor mental and overall health, and less participation in mainstream American society. Significance levels of p<0.05 were noted in virlually all samples.

Conclusion and Relevance: Refugees in America exhibit similar but extreme disparities compared to USLTR in each racial group, and therefore should be ranked in their own demographic category. Since programs intended for America’s ethnic groups are only benefiting USLTR, while being of little or no use to refugees, this new ranking will enable health program planners to plan and implement programs that specifically target refugees’ unique needs.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Recognize key differences in behavior, lifestyle, and social determinants of health between refugees and U.S. long-term residents (USLTR) in a given racial group.
• 2. Identify key similarities and differences among refugees that justify ranking them in their own demographic category regardless of their racial/ethnic differences.
• 3. Cite examples in which grouping refugees with USLTR has led to unintentional discrimination where programs intended for a specific ethnic group have benefited only USLTR while being of little or no use to refugees.
• 4. Consider ranking refugees in their own demographic category irrespective of their racial differences, as opposed to the current method used by the U.S. Census Bureau of placing them together with USLTR.

Keywords: Refugees, Population

Related Web page: www.census.gov/ & www.cdc.gov/health/beh_risk.html

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.