Skip Sidebar navigation and go to main page content
Home / Communicable Diseases / TB and Refugee Programs / History of Refugee Health Screening at CDHD

History of Refugee Health Screening

Refugees are persons who are [living] outside their country of...[origin]...and who are...[in] fear of persecution on account of [their] race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Refugees are required to apply for Legal Permanent Resident status one year after entry into and physical presence in the United States.

History of Refugee Health Screening at CDHD

Central District Health Department's Refugee Health Screening Program was established in 1980 to evaluate the health status of hundreds of Southeast Asian refugees who began entering the United States at the end of the Vietnam War.

Today the Refugee Program screens new arrivals for specific conditions that can affect their health and/or the health of the community. The Refugee Program also assures children and adults have been appropriately immunized in their native countries and if not, immunizations are provided. When health problems are detected, referral and follow-up with the appropriate health care provider is initiated.

Since 1980, hundreds of refugees have been screened from nations in Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa. CDHD screens approximately 40 new refugees each month.

The Refugee Health Screening Program is funded by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and refugees must be referred by a recognized sponsoring agency.

Currently there are three regional agencies responsible for refugee services:

Agency for New Americans
208-338-0033

International Rescue Committee (IRC)
208-344-1792

World Relief
443-451-1900

Skip Footer Navigation