Minnesota Refugee Health Program

Minnesota Department of HealthInfectious Disease Division

Immunizations, Tuberculosis and International Health Section

Refugee Health Screening in MN

• Exam w/in the first 90 days of arrival• Public health clinics and private providers

• Goal: ...to control communicable disease among, and

resulting from, the arrival of new refugees through:

health assessmenttreatmentreferral

Refugee Health AssessmentRefugee Health AssessmentInformation FlowInformation Flow

Quarantine Station/CDCQuarantine Station/CDC

MDHMDH

Local Health Dept.Local Health Dept.

ScreensScreensForwards to

primary providerForwards to

primary provider

Primary providerscreens

Primary providerscreens

Screening formcompleted & returned

Screening formcompleted & returned

VOLAGVOLAGHIV+

assurance

all assurances

Refugee Health Program, Minnesota Department of Health

Refugee HealthRefugee Health Program PartnersProgram Partners

Volags

Local Health Dept.

Health Care Provider

MDH

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Functions of Functions of MDH Refugee Health ProgramMDH Refugee Health Program

Coordinate health assessments for newly arrived refugees

Create standardized best practices for refugee health screening in Minnesota

Collect and disseminate health screening data Collaborate with Volags, Local Public Health,

MAAs, and other community-based organizations

Provide health resources for foreign-born populations and their health care providers

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Extended Mission Educate medical community about refugees

Pocket Guide Provider Guide Provider Directory

Educate refugees about US health system– Presentations– Presence at community events– Resources

• Website • Ethnic radio/TV/newspapers• ESL Classroom

– Metro Refugee Health Task Force

Role of Local Public HealthRole of Local Public Health

Collaborate with Volag caseworker to assist new refugees in accessing health assessment

Assure a complete, culturally and linguistically competent health screening

Assist in provider education regarding screening protocols

Verify completion of health assessment Notify MDH of all screening results

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Catholic Charities (CC) Lutheran Social Services (LSS) Jewish Family Services or Minneapolis Jewish

Family and Children's Services (JFS) MN Council of Churches (MCC) International Institute of Minnesota (IIM) World Relief Minnesota (WRM)

MN Volags (Voluntary Agencies): MN Volags (Voluntary Agencies): Refugee Resettlement ProgramsRefugee Resettlement Programs

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Minnesota Refugee Health Minnesota Refugee Health ProgramProgram

Phone: Phone: 651-201-5414 or 1-877-676-5414

Web site:Web site: http://www.health.state.mn.us/refugee

Address: Address: Minnesota Department of HealthRefugee Health Program

Freeman Building625 N. Robert Street

Box 64975St. Paul, MN 55164-0975

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