Immigrant and Refugee Health Issues

Over the past 30 years, the United States has experienced one of the largest waves of immigration in its history. Understanding the health status and needs of immigrants and refugees is important because of their growing numbers and their effect on the overall health of the nation. Until recently, most health research did not collect data on nativity and immigration status. When immigration status was collected, many studies grouped all immigrants together, despite marked differences within subgroups with respect to culture, socioeconomic status, patterns of immigration, and health status. This entry provides a general overview of the effects of migration on health and some of the unique health issues that immigrants and refugees face. It also examines reasons why protecting and promoting the health of ...