PHPB 7460 - Forced Migration and Health

3 Credit Hours
Prerequisites: PHPB 7160.
Description
This course provides an introduction to both the global and local health issues related to refugee populations. Health, cultural issues, barriers to care, and services for refugee populations in the United States will be featured, with an emphasis on Clarkston, GA’s refugee groups. Global historical and policy issues related to refugees and refugee health will also be studied. Through the course, students will use an ecological model to explore (a) policy and legal issues, (b) cultural issues, (c) stress encountered by refugees, (d) major health issues (including mental health) affecting refugee communities, and (d) unmet needs for this underserved population. The class will consider the priorities for refugee health developed by local groups and discuss research needs and practical service or intervention models to address refugee health and ways to evaluate their effectiveness. This course will utilize various perspectives, including historical, epidemiologic, and human rights, with a focus on the social determinants of migration and health over the life course. Local representatives of refugee care and refugee groups will help lead selected classes and participate in discussions. Inter-professional education and care perspectives will be advanced through guest speakers across multiple health domains, service agency presentations, small group work, and experiential learning. The overall goal of the course is to prepare students for a applied practice experience (service-learning) placement in the subsequent semester in the area of refugee health with appropriate cultural competency skills and an understanding of the needs, priorities, and challenges faced by refugees and by organizations and providers who work with refugees.