Department of Learning Sciences, Adult Literacy Research Center, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.
Center for Community Engagement at Clarkston, Prevention Research Center, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.
Health Educ Res. 2021 Apr 12;36(2):170-177. doi: 10.1093/her/cyab004.
Structural inequities and lack of resources put vulnerable refugee communities at great risk. Refugees flee their country of origin to escape persecution and flee from war, famine and torture. Resettled refugee communities become particularly vulnerable during times of crisis due to limited English proficiency and poor social determinants of health (SDOH), which create barriers to attaining and sustaining health and wellbeing for themselves and their families. The purpose of this case study was to evaluate SDOH among a refugee community in the Southeastern United States. We surveyed the community twice during a 1-year period to assess various elements of SDOH. Among a primarily African and Southeast Asian refugee community, 76% reported difficulty paying for food, housing and healthcare during the first round of surveys. During the second round of surveys at the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic, 70% reported lost income; 58% indicated concern about paying bills. There was little change during the 12-month study period, showing that SDOH are an enduring measure of poor health and wellbeing for this vulnerable refugee community.
结构性不平等和资源匮乏使弱势难民社区面临巨大风险。难民逃离原籍国是为了逃避迫害，逃离战争、饥荒和酷刑。重新安置的难民社区在危机时期特别脆弱，因为他们英语水平有限，社会健康决定因素（SDOH）较差，这为他们自己和家人获得和维持健康和福祉设置了障碍。本案例研究的目的是评估美国东南部一个难民社区的 SDOH。我们在一年的时间内对该社区进行了两次调查，以评估 SDOH 的各个方面。在一个主要由非洲和东南亚难民组成的社区中，76%的人在第一轮调查中报告说，在支付食物、住房和医疗保健费用方面有困难。在冠状病毒大流行开始时的第二轮调查中，70%的人报告收入损失；58%的人表示担心付账单。在 12 个月的研究期间几乎没有变化，这表明 SDOH 是衡量这个弱势难民社区健康和福祉状况的一个持久指标。
