Refugee health: Trauma, lost documents, and language barriers

Ukraine is not the only place with an ongoing military conflict. Fighting in Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Ethiopia also forced many people to flee their homelands. Even when a country is technically at peace, its people may still seek asylum from authoritarian, criminal, or genocidal regimes. Many Russian citizens have fled their country ahead of a crackdown on free speech and political opposition.

As more of those refugees arrive in the United States, American healthcare systems and providers will need to be better trained and educated on the issues facing asylum seekers and refugee patients. Quality care will require understanding and compassion for patients who’ve already been through a great deal of trauma.

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