| Popis: |
The medical literature regarding refugee populations in developed countries has predominantly focused on infectious communicable diseases and mental health; however, with changing lifestyles in developing countries and the process of acculturation within developed countries, refugees are facing an increased risk of non communicable diseases either by having a pre existing condition or acquiring it once in a developed country. Amongst industrialized countries, the United States accounts for nearly 75% of all permanently settled refugees. Most recently, sixty-five percent of refugees resettling in the USA originate from Iraq, Burma and Bhutan. Of the refugees being tested within the first eight months of arrival, 51.1% had some chronic disease and 18.4% had two or more. Such prevalence rates support the need to address chronic conditions in refugees, but the literature provides little guidance for care of common non-communicable disorders in refugees. The objectives of this chapter are to synthesize the medical literature so as to offer clinicians an evidence-based approach for the care of common non communicable disorders in adult refugees and cite the systems challenges that caregivers face when providing chronic care to refugees. |
