Prevalence of Chronic Disease and Their Risk Factors Among Iranian, Ukrainian, Vietnamese Refugees in California, 2002–2011

Abstract

Little is known about how the health status of incoming refugees to the United States compares to that of the general population. We used logistic regression to assess whether country of origin is associated with prevalence of hypertension, obesity, type-II diabetes, and tobacco-use among Iranian, Ukrainian and Vietnamese refugees arriving in California from 2002 to 2011 (N = 21,968). We then compared the prevalence among refugees to that of the Californian general population (CGP). Ukrainian origin was positively associated with obesity and negatively with smoking, while the opposite was true for Vietnamese (p < 0.001). Iranian origin was positively associated with type-II diabetes and smoking (p < 0.001). After accounting for age and gender differences, refugees had lower prevalence of obesity and higher prevalence of smoking than CGP. Individually, all refugee groups had lower type-II diabetes prevalence than CGP. Grouping all refugees together can hide distinct health needs associated with country of origin.

Epidemiology of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors among refugees and asylum seekers: Systematic review and meta-analysis

“… Authors (Year) D.M. Hyperlipidemia Hypertension Obesity Psychosocial Tobacco Bo et al (2015) [ 25 ] NR NR NR NR NR NR Linton et al (2020) [ 34 ] NR NR NR NR NR NR Nguyen et al (2016) [ 22 ] Iran (↓) NR Iran (↓) Iran (↑) NR Iran (↑) Ukraine (↓) Vietnam (↑) Ukraine (↓) Ukraine (↓) Ukraine (↑) Vietnam (↓) Vietnam (↓) Vietnam (↓) Njeru et al (2016) [ 23 ] ↑ ↓ NS ↑ NR NR Norredam et al (2014) [ 20 ] ↑ NR NR NR NR NR van Oostrum et al (2011) [ 24 ] NR NR NR NR ↑ NR Yun et al (2012) [ 21 ] NS NR …”

“…Of the seven studies included, four examined D.M. prevalence in refugees [ 20 , [24] , [25] , [26] ]. When compared with native populations, refugees demonstrated significantly higher rates of D.M.…”

“…The remaining study found a lower prevalence of D.M. in refugees than the native population that trended upwards with age [ 25 ]. However, this study looked at only recent arrivals using the state department of public health electronic health information system.…”

San Antonio refugees: Their demographics, healthcare profiles, and how to better serve them

“…The Iranian population had the highest burden of psychiatric diseases (depression n = 2, insomnia n = 2, anxiety n = 1), followed by EBP, dental concerns, and GERD (n = 2 for each). In a study done in California on Iranian refugees, they seemed to have a higher burden of diabetes mellitus and tobacco use than the general California population [34]. While the results may not be congruent, psychiatric diseases and tobacco use have been linked [35, 36].…”

Cardiovascular Disease–related Health Beliefs and Lifestyle Issues Among Karen Refugees Resettled in the United States From the Thai-Myanmar (Burma) Border

“…Furthermore, some studies reported a high prevalence of tobacco smoking among refugees. For example, a higher prevalence of tobacco smoking (16.7%) compared to the general public (14.4%) was found among refugees from Iran, Ukraine, and Vietnam in California [ 15 ]. Approximately half of Somali refugees in Minnesota reported tobacco use [ 16 ].…”