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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Elaine Congress, MSW, DSW, LCSW, Graduate School of Social Service, Fordham University, 113 West 60th Street, New York, NY 10023, 212- 636-6667, congress@fordham.edu and Mary Bussell, RN, MPH, PhD, School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave Levy Place, Box 1043, New York, NY 10029.

Despite an increasing number of immigrants and growing concern about health disparities, ethical challenges that arise in professional practice with immigrants related to health issues have been minimally addressed in public health social work literature. Public health social workers are committed to “the promotion of positive health behaviors in the development of lifestyles by individuals, families and groups” (Standards 2005 Public Health: Standards and Competencies.) This presentation will explore ethical challenges and dilemmas that emerge in pursuing this goal. Immigrants, particularly undocumented immigrants, may be reluctant to share information about their health fearing that it will not be used in a positive way. They may be keenly aware that access to treatment can be limited due to financial constraints and immigration status. Immigrants may also be fearful that public health social workers will be critical of varying cultural beliefs about health, disease, and treatment that differ from established health protocols. How do social work values of self determination and respect for diversity affect public health social workers in their work with immigrant clients? When do cultural beliefs negatively affect health outcomes? What situations require public health social workers to act in a paternalistic manner around health issues? Is paternalism ever the right course of action? Case examples will be used to illustrate these dilemmas. This presentation will conclude with suggested guidelines for more effective public health social work practice with immigrants.

Learning Objectives: Participants in this sesssion will

• Learn more about recent immigration to the United States
• Explore new public health issues raised by influx of immigrants
• Identify ethical challenges in public health social work practice with immigrants
• Learn guidelines for ethical practice with immigrants around public health issues.

Keywords: Immigrants, Ethics

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation