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Refugees & Migrants

The Refugee Health program provides through Federal funding from the Office of Refugee Resettlement, health assessment and immunization services for the following people:

• Refugees
• Asylees
• Cuban & Haitian Asylum Applicants
• Cuban & Haitian Entrants (including parolees)
• Amerasians

Many refugees and migrants originate from countries with high Tuberculosis (TB) rates. Poor nutrition and health mean that refugees and migrants are at high risk for developing Tuberculosis (TB).

Untreated Tuberculosis (TB) spreads quickly in crowded refugee camps and shelters. It is difficult to treat mobile populations, as treatment takes at least six months and should ideally be supervised by a health care professional.

Tuberculosis among Florida’s refugee and migrant population is growing. Over the last decade Tuberculosis (TB) rates for refugees and migrants doubled reaching 46% (484 out of 1046) in 2003. 76% of Tuberculosis (TB) cases among migrant and refugee populations were reported in six metropolitan counties: Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Orange, Hillsborough and Duval.