Refugee Health Assessment Program
An Effective Practice
Description
Many of the refugees that arrive in Florida come from areas of the world where preventive health care is not a priority, so they arrive in the United States with a variety of health conditions that should be promptly addressed with early diagnosis and treatment. The Refugee Health Assessment Program takes a multi-lingual and multi-cultural approach to care. The initial assessment is generally completed within 30 days of arrival but no later than 90 days, and its goal to identify and control communicable diseases among newly arrived refugees.
Goal / Mission
The mission of the RHAP is to protect the health of the general population and to improve the health status of refugees so they may achieve self-sufficiency.
Results / Accomplishments
The value of this initiative is that the health department has been able to provide health assessments to more than 10,000 new arrivals a year. The investment in this program has contributed to the prevention of outbreaks in the community, which could translate to millions in direct patient care.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Miami Dade County Health Department
Primary Contact
Onelia Fajardo, Refugee Program Director
Miami Health Dept
(305) 643-7300
onelia_fajardo2@doh.state.fl.us
http://www.dadehealth.org/
Miami Health Dept
(305) 643-7300
onelia_fajardo2@doh.state.fl.us
http://www.dadehealth.org/
Topics
Health / Health Care Access & Quality
Health / Immunizations & Infectious Diseases
Health / Mortality Data
Health / Immunizations & Infectious Diseases
Health / Mortality Data
Organization(s)
Miami Dade County Health Department
Source
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)
Date of publication
2005
Geographic Type
Urban
Location
Miami Dade County, FL
For more details
Additional Audience
Refugees