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Physical and Mental Health Status of Iraqi Refugees Resettled in the United States

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Abstract

We conducted a survey among Iraqi refugees resettled in the United States to assess their physical and mental health status and healthcare access and utilization following the initial 8-month, post-arrival period. We randomly selected Iraqi refugees: ≥18 years of age; living in the United States for 8–36 months; and residents of Michigan, California, Texas and Idaho. Participants completed a household questionnaire and mental health assessment. We distributed 366 surveys. Seventy-five percent of participants had health insurance at the time of the survey; 43 % reported delaying or not seeking care for a medical problem in the past year. Sixty percent of participants reported one chronic condition; 37 % reported ≥2 conditions. The prevalence of emotional distress, anxiety, and depression was approximately 50 % of participants; 31 % were at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder. Iraqi refugees in this evaluation reported a high prevalence of chronic conditions and mental health symptoms despite relatively high access to healthcare. It is important for resettlement partners to be aware of the distinctive health concerns of this population to best address needs within this community.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Epidemic Intelligence Service, Immigrant, Refugee, and Migrant Health Branch, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, NE, Mail-stop E-03, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA

    Eboni M. Taylor

  2. Immigrant, Refugee, and Migrant Health Branch, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Emad A. Yanni, Michael Guterbock & Heather Burke

  3. Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, San Diego, CA, USA

    Clelia Pezzi

  4. Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Detroit, MI, USA

    Erin Rothney & Elizabeth Harton

  5. Refugee Health Program, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, TX, USA

    Jessica Montour

  6. Refugee Health Screening Program, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Boise, ID, USA

    Collin Elias

  7. United States Public Health Service, Washington, DC, USA

    Eboni M. Taylor

Authors
  1. Eboni M. Taylor
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  2. Emad A. Yanni
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  3. Clelia Pezzi
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  4. Michael Guterbock
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  5. Erin Rothney
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  6. Elizabeth Harton
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  7. Jessica Montour
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  8. Collin Elias
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  9. Heather Burke
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Correspondence to Eboni M. Taylor.

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Disclaimer: The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Taylor, E.M., Yanni, E.A., Pezzi, C. et al. Physical and Mental Health Status of Iraqi Refugees Resettled in the United States. J Immigrant Minority Health 16, 1130–1137 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-013-9893-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-013-9893-6

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