Special Topics in Social Policy: Immigrant Health Issues, Fall, 2001

PA 5490 Special Topics in Social Policy: Immigrant Health Issues, Fall, 2001 - Outline

Professor:

Katherine Fennelly
Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs

Need:

The demography of rural American communities is changing dramatically, but many of our institutions have not kept pace with the needs of new African, Asian, and Latino residents. Health care and social service providers used to treating European-origin families and some Latino residents are suddenly seeing refugees from Somalia, Ethiopia, Laos, Bosnia, Cambodia and the Sudan. In order to meet the needs of these new residents it is imperative for providers to understand the context and motives for immigration, as well as the characteristics and belief systems of their clients.

Audience:

Health care providers, policymakers, community agency professionals, students in public health, medicine, nursing, social work, public policy or the social sciences.

Description:

A four-credit, on-line computer course for public policy and health professionals which may be taken for letter grades or pass/fail. Learners can study from their home or office computers.

Course Goals:

Students taking this course will gain an understanding of the characteristics of immigrants and refugees in the United States, major health needs, principles of cultural competence in service provision, and tools for effective advocacy.

Community Work:

The key to becoming “culturally competent” is to go into the community to meet and learn from the residents you hope to serve. Community visits, observations and interviews are an essential (and fun!) component of the course and the credit requirements.

Course Objectives:

1. Students will acquire research skills to access demographic, health and background information on immigrants in the U.S.

2. Students will understand the major characteristics and health needs of new immigrants.
3. Students will be able to design ‘culturally competent’ Health programs
4. Students will learn to advocate for needed changes to promote immigrant health
5. Students will interact with other professionals and policymakers

Unit I.             Research skills to access demographic, health and background information

Module 1.        Definitions and data
Module 2:         Conducting Community Research
Module 3:         Finding information and data
Module 4:         Community attitudes

Unit II:           Characteristics and Health Needs of New Immigrants

Module 5:         Refugee health issues/ mental health needs
Module 6:        Language Issues and Needs
Module 7:         Access to services
Module 8:         Immigrant Youth

Unit III.           Culturally Competent Care.

Module 9:        Beliefs about health and illness
Module 10:      On-line discussion of Culturally Competent Care
Module 11:       Racism and Discrimination
Module 12:       Poverty, jobs, wages and housing

Unit IV.           Advocacy

Module 13:       Influencing public policy
Module 14:       Wrap-up

Optional Units

Module A:   Myths surrounding immigration to the United States

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