Refugee and migrant health: how does Australia handle it?

Australia settles about 14 000 refugees each year under the Humanitarian program; half are aged 19 years or less. Many more immigrants from ‘refugee like’ backgrounds arrive under different visa categories. Available evidence suggests that these groups suffer with a heavy burden of often undiagnosed health conditions. These include inadequate immunisation, infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies. A limited predeparture medical check is undertaken overseas, and so after arrival in Australia this group require comprehensive health assessment. This presentation will outline current evidence-based health screening recommendations, diagnostic considerations for some common and unusual infectious diseases, and an update on their management. Vitamin D deficiency will also be discussed. Australia settles about 14 000 refugees each year under the Humanitarian program; half are aged 19 years or less. Many more immigrants from ‘refugee like’ backgrounds arrive under different visa categories. Available evidence suggests that these groups suffer with a heavy burden of often undiagnosed health conditions. These include inadequate immunisation, infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies. A limited predeparture medical check is undertaken overseas, and so after arrival in Australia this group require comprehensive health assessment. This presentation will outline current evidence-based health screening recommendations, diagnostic considerations for some common and unusual infectious diseases, and an update on their management. Vitamin D deficiency will also be discussed.