Analyzing the Effects of Patient Navigation on the Health Outcome of Refugees, Asylees, and Asylum Seekers in New York City

Featured Council Member: Tyler B. Evans, MD, MS, MPH, AAHIVS, DTM&H
The purpose of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of a patient navigation program in relation to health outcomes among refugees, asylees, and asylum-seekers who recently resettled in New York City (NYC), US.

The study will investigate both primary and exploratory objectives:

Primary Objective: To determine the effectiveness of a patient navigation program by measuring its impact on health outcomes.

Exploratory Objectives: (1) To assess the self-efficacy of refugees/asylees in terms of health care navigation over time, and (2) to assess the impact on mental health over time

Why this matters now
At present, a validated system to assess the risk of adverse health outcomes among refugees, asylees, and asylum seekers –one that is combined with a systemic approach to mitigate impact – does not exist.

This study seeks to overcome this gap through the design of a patient navigation program.

A number of patient navigation programs have recently formed throughout North America. However, none currently exists that targets refugees, asylees, and asylum seekers in a large metropolitan area. This patient navigation program aims to help refugees with demonstrable risk to maneuver a foreign and incomprehensible health system, maximize favorable health outcomes, and prevent unnecessary morbidity and mortality.

Who is affected and how. Who are you serving?

According to 2016 official estimates from the UN High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR), there were 65.6 million displaced migrants worldwide – including 22.5 million refugees. In FFY 2016, 84,995 refugees arrived in the US – the highest number on record. The country of refuge where most were resettled was the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). California, Texas, Florida and New York (NY) resettle over half of all refugees.