Immigrant Health, Health Services, and History University Module
Class
About this Module
Class 5: Immigrant Health Issues Today
Introduction:
This class looks at some of the major issues and challenges in immigrant health today. Students will read about the “immigrant paradox”: namely, that when immigrants arrive they are healthier than the rest of the population, but their health status declines the longer they are in the United States. The class will also examine health issues facing refugees, a vaccination controversy in one refugee community, and the difficult issue of access to health care for the undocumented.
Class Resources
Readings
- Kandula, Namratha R., Margaret Kersey, and Nicole Lurie. “Assuring the Health of Immigrants: What the Leading Health Indicators Tell Us.” Annual Review of Public Health Vol. 25 (April 21, 2004), 357–376. https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/full/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.25.101802.123107.
- Leite, Paula, et. al. “Health Outcomes of Mexican Immigrant Women in the United States.” Migration Information Source. April 2, 2013. https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/health-outcomes-mexican-immigrant-women-united-states.
- Refugee Health Technical Assistance Center. https://refugeehealthta.org.
- Belluz, Julia. “Why Minnesota Lost a Battle Against Anti-Vaccine Campaigners.” Vox News. May 16, 2017. https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/5/10/15591410/minnesota-measles-anti-vaccine-public-health-lessons.
Discussion Questions
- According to Kandula et. al., how did the overall health status of immigrants measure up against the rest of the U.S. population in 2004? If you were to research an update to this article for today, would you focus on the same health indicators, or would you add (or subtract) others?
- Using the Leite et. al. article, define the “immigrant or Hispanic paradox.” What are some factors that explain this phenomenon among Mexican immigrant women? Why does the health status of many immigrants decline the longer they are in the United States?
- What is the definition of “refugee”? What are some similarities and differences between health issues for refugees and for immigrants?
- Why did a measles outbreak occur in the Somali community in Minnesota in 2017? How might a similar occurrence be prevented?
- What are barriers to access to health care and information for undocumented immigrants? What are the public health consequences of limited access to health care for the undocumented? How could access to health care for the undocumented be improved?
- Creative assignment: Design a program that addresses one or several areas of immigrant and refugee health. How would you “sell” the program to the public and potential funders (private and governmental)?
