"This treatment is centuries old, and it is relevant even now. Herbal medicine gets positive results almost 100% of the time, with no side effects," he insists. "That is why people still come to us and encourage their relatives to come too."

References:

Arizona Department of Health Services. (n.d.). Community profile: Afghan refugees in Arizona. https://www.azdhs.gov/documents/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/disease-integrated-services/refugee-health/providers/community-profile-afghan.pdf

https://worldcrunch.com/culture-society/why-ancient-herbal-medicine-is-still-so-popular-in-afghanistan

https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2020/9/3/the-afghan-herbalist-who-claims-to-have-a-cure-for-covid-19

1.1 Clinicians respond sensitively and without assumptions to the diversity of individual characteristics and social determinants of health—including cultural, religious or spiritual and linguistic considerations, health beliefs, individual abilities, choices and preferences— and modify their approach as appropriate.

https://culturaldiversityhealth.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Culturally-responsive-clinical-practice-Working-with-people-from-migrant-and-refugee-backgrounds-Jan2019.pdf

The integration of Afghan refugees into Australian society has been successful for some, but others face serious challenges even after obtaining citizenship.³ Afghan-Australians encounter significant challenges due to the discrimination they face from society. They are frequently unjustly portrayed as "terrorist militants" rather than acknowledged as victims of terrorism.⁷ Additionally, exploitation and discrimination in the workplace directly impact the health of Afghani migrant workers. The troubling findings of workplace discrimination and exploitation, along with the resulting detrimental health effects, serve to emphasize the far-reaching influence of the local community's understanding and perception of refugees and their diverse backgrounds.¹

Work is a key social determinant of health, offering income, identity, opportunities for personal growth, and social connections.^2,3 However, it can also pose health risks, particularly for temporary migrant workers who encounter challenges in securing employment, such as limited local experience, language barriers, and discrimination.⁸ These obstacles increase their likelihood of facing unfavorable working conditions, which can negatively affect their health.^3,6 Social inclusion is especially vital for further improving the quality of Australia's multicultural society.

References:

1. A. Ziersch, M. Walsh, C. Due, & A. Reilly (2021). Temporary refugee and migration visas in Australia: An occupational health and safety hazard. International Journal of Health Services, 51(4), 531–544.

2. Cheng, I. H., Wahidi, S., Vasi, S., & Samuel, S. (2015). Importance of community engagement in primary health care: The case of Afghan refugees. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 21(3), 262–267. https://doi.org/10.1071/PY13137

3. Colic-Peisker, V., & Tilbury, F. (2007). Refugees and employment: The effect of visible difference on discrimination. Perth, Western Australia: Centre for Social and Community Research, Murdoch University.

4. Lazarus, S. (2019). ‘Some animals are more equal than others’: The hierarchy of citizenship in Austria. Laws, 8(14). https://doi.org/10.3390/laws8030014

5. Markus, A. (2014). Attitudes to immigration and cultural diversity in Australia. Journal of Sociology, 50(1), 10–22. https://doi.org/10.1177/1440783314522188

6. Preibisch, K., & Hennebry, J. (2011). Temporary migration, chronic effects: The health of international migrant workers in Canada. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 183(9), 1033–1038.

7. Rezaei, O., Adibi, H., & Banham, V. (2021). Integration experiences of former Afghan refugees in Australia: What challenges still remain after becoming citizens? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(19), 10559. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910559

8. Syed, I. U. (2016). Labor exploitation and health inequities among market migrants: A political economy perspective. Journal of International Migration and Integration, 17(2), 449–465.

9. van der Noordt, M., H, I. J., Droomers, M., & Proper, K. I. (2014). Health effects of employment: A systematic review of prospective studies. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 71(10), 730–736.

10. World Health Organization. (1946). Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization as adopted by the International Health Conference in New York. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO.

11. Wilkinson, R. G., & Marmot, M. (2003). Social determinants of health: The solid facts. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.

The Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide recommends screening for NCDs as per the RACGP Red Book initial assessment, annually or as opportunities arise.⁴ Without proper dietary education, Afghan refugees may be at higher risk of developing obesity-related diseases due to their sudden access to high-calorie foods and the sedentary lifestyle that often accompanies resettlement in urban environments. Providing education about the long-term health risks associated with processed and fast foods, explaining the connection between excess weight and chronic diseases, and offering practical advice on weight management through proper diet and exercise are key to preventing disease.⁶ The study published above indicates that brief dietary counselling from culturally aligned providers may lead to positive changes in BMI.

This guide also recommends using tailored, patient-centered, explanatory models.⁴ Health information on nutrition and lifestyle should be delivered in their native language or through interpreters to ensure understanding. Visual aids and culturally relevant examples can enhance comprehension, making the information more relatable and easier to apply in daily life. A health translator is available to help build healthier communities by making healthcare more accessible and culturally relevant. Referrals to diabetes nurse educators and dietitians help patients understand and manage their chronic conditions, with careful consideration of cultural and religious factors, such as the impact of Ramadan on diabetes management.⁴

References:

1. Jen, K. L. C., et al. (2015). Pre- and post-displacement stressors and body weight development in Iraqi refugees in Michigan. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 17, 1468–1475.

2. Hervey, K., et al. (2009). Overweight among refugee children after arrival in the United States. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 20(1), 246–256.

3. Mulugeta, W., et al. (2018). Longitudinal changes and high-risk subgroups for obesity and overweight/obesity among refugees in Buffalo, NY, 2004–2014. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 5(1), 187–194.

4. Refugee Health Guide. (2012). Chronic non-communicable diseases in adults. Refugee Health Guide. https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/chronic-non-communicable-diseases-in-adults/

5. Sanati Pour, M., et al. (2014). Prevalence of dyslipidaemia and micronutrient deficiencies among newly arrived Afghan refugees in rural Australia: A cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 14, 896.

6. Mehdi, S. P., Pasricha, J., & Biggs, B. A. (2023). Hyperlipidaemia and weight amongst Afghani refugees attending a general practice clinic in regional Australia. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 25(3), 589–595. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-022-01446-1