Saving Women, Saving Families: An Ecological Approach to Optimizing the Health of Women Refugees with S.M.A.R.T Primary Care

J. Nwando Olayiwola; Melanie Raffoul; J. Nwando Olayiwola; Melanie Raffoul

doi:10.3934/publichealth.2016.2.357

AIMS Public Health

2016, Volume 3, Issue 2: 357-374. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2016.2.357

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Commentary Special Issues

Saving Women, Saving Families: An Ecological Approach to Optimizing the Health of Women Refugees with S.M.A.R.T Primary Care

J. Nwando Olayiwola ^{1
,
,},
Melanie Raffoul ²

1.
J. Nwando Olayiwola, MD, MPH, FAAFP. University of California, San Francisco, Department of Family & Community Medicine,1001 Potrero Avenue, Building 80, San Francisco, CA 94110
2.
Melanie Raffoul, MD. New York University, Department of Emergency Medicine

Received: 19 December 2015 Accepted: 30 May 2016 Published: 01 June 2016

More than 43 million people worldwide have been forcibly displaced from their homes as a result of conflict and persecution, over 50% of whom are women and 41% are children. The United Nations estimates that two-thirds of the world’s refugees have been in exile for over 5 years, and more than half are in urban environments, as opposed to camps. Therefore, long-term strategies for healthcare in receiving countries are needed. The unique challenges facing refugee women as they seek safe and stable living situations are compelling. A system that optimizes the health of women refugees has significant implications for the rest of the family.
- refugee,
- women,
- primary care
Citation: J. Nwando Olayiwola, Melanie Raffoul. Saving Women, Saving Families: An Ecological Approach to Optimizing the Health of Women Refugees with S.M.A.R.T Primary Care[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2016, 3(2): 357-374. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2016.2.357

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Abstract

More than 43 million people worldwide have been forcibly displaced from their homes as a result of conflict and persecution, over 50% of whom are women and 41% are children. The United Nations estimates that two-thirds of the world’s refugees have been in exile for over 5 years, and more than half are in urban environments, as opposed to camps. Therefore, long-term strategies for healthcare in receiving countries are needed. The unique challenges facing refugee women as they seek safe and stable living situations are compelling. A system that optimizes the health of women refugees has significant implications for the rest of the family.

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