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Assessing The Health Needs Of The Burmese And Bhutanese Refugees In South Philadelphia, Patricia Tolu-Ajayi

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While refugees initially receive government aid (eg, Refugee Medical Assistance) upon arrival to the US, they often have unresolved medical concerns that persist beyond their initial period of government assistance (8 Months). To address these unmet health needs, Refugee Health Partners at Thomas Jefferson University started a free clinic targeting refugees from Bhutan and Burma living in South Philadelphia. An important finding from this clinic was that many refugees do not utilize the health care system, regardless of insurance status. Consequently, it is not known what health and social issues are most prevalent.