Housing, basic amenities and the environment are essential social determinants of health that impact the health of refugees in Australia. Housing was central to health and well-being and affected health through affordability and suitability concerning physical, social, and mental aspects, such as safety and belongingness. Refugees in Australia living in poor housing conditions negatively affected their health. Improving housing quality, affordability, and tenure security can positively impact health outcomes (Ziersch et al., 2017).

 

Income and social protection are other social determinants of health that refugees face in Australia because of their marginalised economic circumstances. It can be quantified by economic difficulties such as food shortage, selling of possessions or relying on aid from community organisations or charities. Financial hardship increases poor health and decreases employment opportunities. Lack of social and support networks means that refugees face income strain, potentially detrimental to their health. Refugees in Australia need additional support to help them contribute and assimilate to economic productivity (Torlinska et al., 2020).

 

Social isolation and discrimination are common concerns for refugees in Australia. Family separation is one of the primary causes of post-migration stress that impacts mental health and causes depression for refugees. Social inclusion and non-discrimination benefit refugees' physical and psychological health through emotional help and coping support. Applying the social determinants framework acknowledges the impact of social connectivity on the emotional well-being of refugees in Australia (Russo et al., 2023).


Russo, A., Koch, R., & McBride, J. (2023). Promoting social inclusion among asylum seekers and refugees living in the southeast region of Melbourne, Australia, through volunteering. Health Promotion Journal of Australia. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.685

 

Torlinska, J., Albani, V., & Brown, H. (2020). Financial hardship and health in a refugee population in Australia: A longitudinal study. Journal of Migration and Health, 1-2(100030). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmh.2020.100030

 

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

 

Ziersch, A., Walsh, M., Due, C., & Duivesteyn, E. (2017). Exploring the Relationship between Housing and Health for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in South Australia: A Qualitative Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(9), 1036. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14091036 

https://www.dovemed.com/healthy-living/wellness-center/health-benefits-tinikling-dance-philippines/#:~:text=The%20constant%20movement%20of%20the 

 

Natonal Museum Philippines. (2021). Textiles and Weaving.https://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/our-collections/ethnology/textiles-and-weaving/ 

 

Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care. (2023). Hilot.https://pitahc.gov.ph/hilot/#:~:text=Hilot%20is%20the%20art%20and 

War in Syria remains our most significant refugee crisis. As of June 2022, the UN estimates that over 6.8 million refugees need humanitarian assistance and have fled the violence in Syria (Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 2022). In 2020-2021, Australia granted 5,947 refugee and humanitarian visas to people from Syria (Australian Red Cross, 2023). Three common health concerns listed in the Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide likely present in people arriving from Syria are low vitamin D, hepatitis C, and schistosomiasis (Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide, 2023).

 

Vitamin D is essential for bone and muscle health and is produced in the skin through sunlight exposure, providing humans with over 90% of it. Syrian refugees frequently have the risk of low vitamin D due to covering clothing and reduced sunlight exposure. One treatment available to refugees from Syria who have low vitamin D upon arrival to Australia is vitamin D supplements and calcium therapy with health education about the importance of sun exposure to restore their normal vitamin D levels (Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide, 2023).

 

Hepatitis C is a viral infection also prevalent in Syrian refugees, affecting the liver and spreading through contact with infected blood, causing acute and chronic illness. One treatment available to refugees from Syria who have tested positive for hepatitis C upon arrival in Australia involves 12 weeks of all-oral antiviral combination therapy and HCV RNA test for further assessment combined with counselling regarding how to protect others from infection (Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide, 2023).

 

Syrian refugees are also prone to schistosomiasis, a chronic parasitic infection caused by parasitic Schistosoma worms acquired through contact with infective cercariae, which an intermediate snail host has released in the freshwater. One treatment available to refugees from Syria who have tested positive for schistosomiasis upon arrival in Australia includes oral anthelmintic medication and evaluation for further end-organ disease with ultrasound and LFTs (Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide, 2023).


Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. (2022). Syria humanitarian response.https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/syria/syria-humanitarian-response

 

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

 

Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide. (2023). Australian Refugee Health Primary Care for People of Refugee Backgrounds. https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/