Welcome to
Refugee Health Care
Gilbert M. Burnham, MD, PhD
Johns Hopkins University
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An Increasingly Important
Topic
Ù Today the lives of refugees are in
increasing danger.
Ù We are moving beyond traditional
definitions.
Continued
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An Increasingly Important
Topic
Ù People still flee across borders to
become refugees.
Ù We must help people displaced in their
own country.
Ù People with no place to flee are often
unseen by the media or international
observers.
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Changing Circumstances
Ù In the past, people fled individual
persecution.
Ù Today, they more commonly flee
violence – abuse of human rights and
state collapse.
Ù Organizations which once just cared
for refugees are now having to rebuild
health systems and social services.
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Purposes of the Course
Ù Assess the challenges of providing
care to displaced populations.
Ù Identify the resources available.
Ù Examine the difficult environment in
which refugees exist.
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Course Goal
Ù Give you a thorough understanding of
who refugees are, what they need, and
how to get them home again – or
someplace like home.
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Course Objectives
Ù Equip you with basic skills needed to
provide care to refugees including the
following:
– Planning skills.
– How to do an epidemiological
assessment.
– Skills to control communicable
disease.
Continued
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Course Objectives
Ù Equip you with basic skills needed to
provide care to refugees including the
following:
– Collecting information and doing
surveillance.
– Setting up environmental health
provisions.
– Meeting food and nutritional needs.
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Speakers for the Course
Ù Speakers for the course come from a
variety of background.
Ù Each is an expert in his or her field.
Ù Each brings a different perspective.
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Textbooks
Ù War and Public Health
– Pierre Perrin, Chief Medical Officer
– International Committee of the Red
Cross
Ù The Public Health Guide to Emergencies
(CD-ROM)
– By JHU faculty and the Red Cross
Ù Course Reader
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Course Assignments
Ù Three case studies to work on as
groups.
Ù Questions on the bulletin board to
discuss from time to time.
Ù LiveTalks
Ù A final paper
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Final Paper
Ù 2000 words on a refugee health topic
of your choice.
Ù This must be a serious paper, well
referenced, and with original thinking.
Ù The paper must be submitted a week
before the end of the term.
Ù We can provide assistance with
selecting a topic if you are stuck.
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Final Thoughts
Ù We very much look forward to having
you in the course, and we hope that
you will enjoy it.
Ù We look forward to your questions and
papers, which are interesting and
every year follow different themes.
Copyright 2005, The Johns Hopkins University and Gilbert Burnham. All rights reserved. Use of these materials permitted only in accordance with license rights
granted. Materials provided “AS IS”; no representations or warranties provided. User assumes all responsibility for use, and all liability related thereto, and must
independently review all materials for accuracy and efficacy. May contain materials owned by others. User is responsible for obtaining permissions for use from
third parties as needed.
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