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B30 - Examining the role of loneliness, perceived discrimination, and mental health with access to healthcare among the refugee population
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between social support, measured by loneliness, partner status, and years lived in the United States, with healthcare access among Ohio refugee communities.
B30 - Examining the role of loneliness, perceived discrimination, and mental health with access to healthcare among the refugee population
Mentor: Saruna Ghimire, Ph.D.
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between social support, measured by loneliness, partner status, and years lived in the United States, with healthcare access among Ohio refugee communities.
Background
Refugee arrivals to the US remain substantial, with 100,060 individuals admitted in 2024, including 3,610 in Ohio. Despite facing a disproportionate burden of disease compared with the general US population, refugees have lower healthcare utilization. In 2016, 31% of refugees lacked health insurance, compared with 7.9% of the US population. These disparities have broader societal implications, particularly amid current budgetary reductions. With US healthcare spending reaching $4.9 trillion in 2022, 90% of which is devoted to mental and chronic conditions, improving early access to care for refugees may reduce long-term health and economic burdens.