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The Burden Of Chronic Health Conditions Among Iraqi Refugees In Michigan, Melissa M. Reznar Phd, Mph, Florence J. Dallo Phd, Mph, Andrew J. Kurecka Mph, Julie J. Ruterbusch Mph, Kendra Schwartz Md, Msph, Madiha Tariq Mph

Michigan Journal of Public Health

The vast majority of refugees in Michigan is from Iraq, and yet the health status of this population is not well defined. The purpose of this study was to describe chronic disease prevalence of Iraqi refugees and examine associations between sociodemographic characteristics and chronic disease. This study reviewed medical charts of 613 Iraqi refugees to examine the association between demographic characteristics and chronic conditions. The dependent variables were body mass index, non-fasting blood glucose, and history of hypertension and diabetes. The independent variables were birth place, age, sex, and smoking history. Men were 3.99 times (95% CI=1.88, 8.48) as likely …