Background We conducted a survey among Iraqi refugees resettled in the United States to assess their physical and mental health status and healthcare access and utilization following the initial eight month, post-arrival period. Methods We randomly selected Iraqi refugees: ≥18 years of age; living in the United States for 8 to 36 months; and residents of Michigan, California, Texas and Idaho. Participants completed a household questionnaire and mental health assessment. Results We distributed 366 surveys. Seventy-five percent of participants had health insurance at the time of the survey; 43% reported delaying or not seeking care for a medical problem in the past year. Sixty percent of participants reported one chronic condition; 37% reported ≥2 conditions. The prevalence of emotional distress, anxiety, and depression was approximately 50% of participants; 31% were at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder. Conclusions Iraqi refugees in this evaluation reported a high prevalence of chronic conditions and mental health symptoms despite relatively high access to healthcare. It is important for resettlement partners to be aware of the distinctive health concerns of this population to best address needs within this community.

Data from Global TravEpiNet provide insight into the characteristics and pretravel healthcare of US international travelers who are at increased risk of travel-associated illness due to itinerary, purpose of travel, or existing medical conditions. Improved understanding of this epidemiologically significant population may help target risk-reduction strategies and interventions to limit the spread of infections related to global travel.

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In our study, 46% of travelers to LLMI countries did not seek health advice prior to their trip, largely due to a lack of concern about health issues related to travel. Among travelers who sought medical advice, the internet and primary care providers were the most common sources of information. These results suggest the need for health outreach and education programs targeted at travelers and primary care practitioners.