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Principal Health Issues that Syrian Refugees Present With Upon Immigrating to Australia

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Principal Health Issues that Syrian Refugees Present With Upon Immigrating to Australia

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According to the Red Cross, Syria is one of the top four contries contributing to the refugee population in Australia, forming part of the 6000 humaitarian visas granted in 2020/2021.

According to the Centre of Disease Control (CDC), a large contributor to this influx is the Syrian conflict which began in 2011. This resulted in the largest refugee crisis since WWII, with 5 million+ Syrians fleeing the country. It left damage and destruction to health facilities, disallowing the necessary provision of health care. The CDC references common health concerns that refugees from Syria may present with: Anaemia, Diabetes and Hypertension.

Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic and metabolic disease that is characterised by increased blood sugar over an extended period, and can cause organ damage if not detected early and treated. Treatment for either type of diabetes involves regular (type 1) or PRN (type 2) insulin injections to regulate this blood sugar level.

Anaemia
Anemia refers to insufficient red blood cells within the body, often initiated by a micronutrient deficiency, blood loss, or chronic disease such as kidney disease, arthritis, or cancer. Treatment generally includes taking iron supplements or Vitamin B12 supplements, the two common causes of anaemia.

Hypertension
Hypertension is defined by high blood pressure of: systolic reading of 130 or above, and/or diastolic reading of 80 or above. This can be caused by any variety of factors including lifestyle factors, familial history, diabetes or more. One treatment for hypertension is addressing your personal risk factors, and implementing more physical activity, reducing alcohol, quitting smoking, or supplements and vasodilators e.g. coenzyme Q10 or L-arginine.

Flag of Syria | Britannica. (2019). In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-Syria

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Australian Red Cross. (2023). Refugee and asylum seeker facts. Australian Red Cross . https://www.redcross.org.au/act/help-refugees/refugee-facts/

Syrian Refugee Health Profiles | Immigrant and Refugee Health | CDC. (2019, March 12). Www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/profiles/syrian/index.html

World Health Organization. (2023). Diabetes. World Health Organization; World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/diabetes#tab=tab_1

Health Direct. (2018, November 27). High Blood Pressure (hypertension). Health Direct; Healthdirect Australia. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/high-blood-pressure-hypertension

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Derr, A. (2021, July 28). What Are the Social Determinants of Health? Visible Network Labs. https://visiblenetworklabs.com/2021/07/28/what-are-the-social-determ

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Social Inclusion and Non-Discrimination
Despite living in a multicultural and socially diverse country, it has become evident that 'exclusion, discrimination, and vilification on the grounds of race' does impact migrant and refugee health in Australia. Surveys indicate that 1.5 million Australian adults claim racial superiority over others, and it disgusts me to hear that 1 in 5 Australians have reportedly experienced race-hate talk (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2023).

Unemployment and Job  Insecurity
35% of recent immigrants reported difficulties in securing employment, and even for those who were able to find it, migrants receive roughly 15% less than the rest of the population. Migrants and refugees are often forced to choose between work and learning English, where they receive limited support with resumes, interview skills, and develop an over-reliance on 'difficult-to-use' technology in seeking employment.

Food Insecurity for Asylum Seekers and Refugees
Food security is a basic human right, and a social determinant of health. Insufficient food leads to chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, depression and cancer, with an average of 60% of refugees being impacted, and an average of roughly 26% experiencing severe hunger levels.

World Health Organisation. (2023). Social determinants of health. World Health Organisation. https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1

Australian Human Rights Commission. (2023). Face the facts: Cultural Diversity. Australian Human Rights Commission. https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/education/face-facts-cultural-diversity

Australian Bureau of Statistics . (2022, December 19). New migrant jobs and income data release | Australian Bureau of Statistics. Www.abs.gov.au. https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/new-migrant-jobs-and-income-data-release

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Not Working: Experiences of refugees and migrants with Jobactive. (2017, August 24). Refugee Council of Australia. https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/jobactive-report/

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Health to me means addressing my physical, mental and emotional needs so that I can function and perform my activities of daily living in a way that leaves me feeling content and accomplished rather than disappointed or tired.

I feel that each of these factors are extremely important to have a healthy mindset, so that I can approach anything that comes at me with excitement and a positive attitude, and not feel down when experiencing trials and tribulation.

Make Yourself a Priority! – Croydon Osteopathy. (2021, March 29). http://www.croydonosteo.com.au/general-health/make-yourself-a-priority/‌

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Attending church provides me with a strong sense of community where my spiritual needs are met, and I gain a strong sense of security and social wellbeing. It lets me have a day of rest where I can refresh both my body and mindset.

Church Clipart Images – Browse 12,728 Stock Photos, Vectors, and Video. (n.d.). Adobe Stock. Retrieved October 9, 2023, from https://stock.adobe.com/au/search?k=church+clipart

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As I was born in the early 2000's, Coldplay was booming and songs like "Paradise," "Yellow," and "A Rush of Blood to the Head" topped the charts. The band attracts hundreds of thousands to each concert and tells a story within each song. One example of this was "Viva La Vida", a story of the French revolution and the death of King Louis XVI. It is easy to enjoy the flow of the song and instrumental prowess; however the lyrics develop on the themes of life, death, war, and change. I love that I can listen to the same song that I heard 10 years ago and grasp a completely different meaning and develop my emotional connection.

Feeds, M. (2023, May 18). Both Coldplay Shows at Perth’s Optus Stadium Are Now Sold Out. Music Feeds. https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/both-coldplay-shows-at-perths-optus-stadium-are-now-sold-out/#:~:text=However%2C%20fans%20jumped%20online%20in

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Yoo, J. (2018, August 24). Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida” is a retelling of the French Revolution. Medium. https://medium.com/@Jaebs/coldplays-viva-la-vida-is-a-retelling-of-the-french-revolution-ad686bde8b6

Coldplay. (2023). Spotify. https://open.spotify.com/artist/4gzpq5DPGxSnKTe4SA8HAU

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From young, I've always played video games with friends. I enjoy the ability to be interconnected with others and participate to reach a common goal, meeting new people along the way while sharing conversations and stories.

Prime Gaming. (1996-2023). Gaming.amazon.com. Retrieved October 9, 2023, from https://gaming.amazon.com/

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Australia has a massive range of sports programs and facilities targeted at every age range, from gyms to sports fields and small group classes such as zoomba and yoga. I personally take advantage of the social and physical aspect of going to the gym and playing golf every week! This gives me the exercise I need to keep my body healthy.

About sport in Australia. (2022, November 21). Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. https://www.health.gov.au/topics/sport/about-sport-in-australia

Coronavirus: not the first global health crisis to impact sport. (2020, March 18). Loughborough University. https://www.lboro.ac.uk/news-events/news/2020/march/coronavirus-not-the-first-health-crisis-in-sport/

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Competency Standard 12.3 Reflection Points 

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Personally, my most impactful interaction with the healthcare system of Western Australia was when I was hospitalised. I could see the meticulous urgency and routine that nurses and doctors took towards each patient in my ward, indiscriminately.

I was able to see how important both inter-nurse communication and nurse-patient communication was, to be able to break cultural barriers, ease nerves, and deliver the appropriate nursing care to all patients equally.

It was clear that nursing care standard 12.3 is of critical importance, as not all patients are able to communicate on the same level of English, using the same mannerisms, unique colloquial terminology, and having a culturally safe and diverse staff to be able to communicate effectively with all patients is essential. We need to acknowledge cultural differences and celebrate them, not ignore or oppose them.

Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice: Working with People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds COMPETENCY STANDARDS FRAMEWORK FOR CLINICIANS. (2019). https:/

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Due to personal experience with cancer, I have a strong regard for the Red Kite organisation. They are highly effective in supporting children in their battle with cancer, whether financially, with research, or emotional support and activities.

Redkite. (n.d.). Pch.health.wa.gov.au. https://pch.health.wa.gov.au/About-us/Our-Partners/Redkite

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I have always appreciated the opportunities that camping provide for reflecting on life's recent challenges. It also gives me the chance to clear my mind and connect with nature.

Summer camp clipart. Free download transparent .PNG | Creazilla. (n.d.). Creazilla.com. Retrieved October 9, 2023, from https://creazilla.com/nodes/3742095-summer-camp-clipart

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