Characteristics and features influencing effective communications with immigrant populations

For the United States the status of immigrant populations in society has been of constant importance to the nation. Major contributors to growth of overall population for the U.S., diverse cultural influences being felt in various sectors, and working practices that have help shape industries by having workers available are but a few of the features of immigrant influence in US progress. Recent events have surfaced the cycle of treating immigrants as second class residents in our neighborhoods. Although the claims to getting rid of the undocumented immigrants in the US is based on the allegations that they have broken the law, adversarial activities fostered by public debate often includes resident immigrants with approved documentation. Given this social milieu, this presentation will examine unique characteristics and features of the current immigration public discourse and those of immigrant populations which require careful consideration in communicating public health messages so that they effectively penetrate immigrant communities. Building trust within these communities, being consistent in the message presented, and knowing in more intimate detail the history of the immigrant community are a beginning part of opening and sustaining communications with these communities.