Summary Of Immigrants And Health Report

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Immigrants and Health Report—Executive Summary
1. Infectious diseases, mental health issues, chronic illnesses as well as health insurance coverage are all significant health problems facing immigrants and refugees in Minnesota.

2. Medical screenings: The state of Minnesota has significantly high rates of infectious diseases, specifically tuberculosis and parasitic infections. Such a high rate dictates the necessity for the recommendation for medical screenings regarding tests for “malaria, sexually transmitted infections, intestinal parasites, hepatitis B and tuberculosis” for refugees prior or upon arrival to the United States (“Immigrants and Health Report—Executive Summary”).

Immunization: Due to “lack of knowledge, transportation,
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Such barrier for prenatal care in immigrant population can be associated with “access, language and cultural considerations.” However, the “healthy baby paradox,” which has linked lower rate of smoking and alcohol drinking as well as closer community togetherness and family stability as the primary factors to by immigrants with the same socioeconomic status as non-immigrants have increased positive pregnancy outcomes (“Immigrants and Health Report—Executive …show more content…
Language can be observed to act as a barrier to an immigrants’ health since it can create communication difficulties between the immigrant as a patient and other healthcare providers, such as an immigrant having a difficulty correctly translating his or her symptoms to a physician and likewise a physician not being able to provide proper treatment directions to the patients do the lack of translators in his or her practice. On the other hand, traditions can be seen as a benefit to immigrants’ health since specific traditions, such as the restriction of pork and alcohol in a traditional Muslim diet, prevent immigrants from adopting unhealthy dietary practices in their new country and ultimately prevent future diagnosis of common diseases associated with unhealthy lifestyle practices. Likewise, customs can also be described as a benefit to immigrant health. For example, the bonding together of members in families to care for a sick relative, which is commonly seen in Latino and Asian