Health among resettling elderly refugees in east Tennessee: Implications for health interventions and policy

Purpose: An exploratory study assessing health disparities among Burundian refugees within 6 years of arrival in the US resettling in Knoxville, a small mid-southern rural city. Older refugees are particularly vulnerable to poverty, abuse, neglect or exploitation, depression, chronic health and emotional problems stemming from: the conditions of refugee flight, family loss and separation, an inability to advocate for themselves because of cultural, language, or educational barriers; limited access to appropriate health and social service agencies. Methods and Data: A mixed method research design was used for data collection. A convenient sample of fifty adults recently resettled (n=50) participated in the study between September 2011 to May 2012. Structured interviews were administered with question items for quantitative data; and open-ended questions for qualitative data; items elicited information on pre-immigration and migration experiences, initial resettlement experiences, size and content of refugee social networks; and accessing resources for resettlement, health and well-being. Findings: Descriptive statistics, correlations and independent samples t-tests were run. Mean age was 44 years, ranging from 20 -78 years and the elderly, age ³ 50 were 17 (34%). As age increased, overall connectedness decreased (r= -.287,r =. 246); English speaking was significant to overall connectedness (Yes = 3.27, No = 2.93,r = .013); 36 (72%) were in good and 14 (28%) were fair or poor health. Conclusions: Identifying health protective and risk factors within the context of refugee resettlement by health professionals and policy makers is crucial to the health outcomes and overall health status of resettling elderly refugees.