Health Orientation
Messages and Resources
2016 LPH-VOLAG FORUM
What is health orientation?
• Component of cultural orientation refugees receive soon after
arrival to the US
• Office of Refugee Resettlement lists 9 core areas of health
orientation that should be covered
• Resettlement agencies conduct health orientation with their
refugee clients
◦ Structure of orientation varies by agency (classroom vs. one-on-one)
Background on the Health Orientation Workgroup
• Initially formed between MDH, resettlement
agencies and LPH
• Established Key Health Messages (handout)
◦ Critical health information for newly arrived refugees
◦ Information that should be reinforced in multiple
settings
• Drafted Health Orientation Toolkit Website
◦ Compilation of health orientation resources (curricula,
language appropriate handouts, videos, etc.)
◦ Toolkit will be housed on the MDH Refugee and
International Health website
◦ Goal to have Toolkit go live this year
Health Orientation Toolkit Website (Draft)
Session Goals
• Make final refinements to Key Health Messages established by
the workgroup
• Discuss how best to communicate health orientation messages
to refugees in our various settings
• Identify best health orientation resources and resource gaps /
needs
Please choose a table
member to take notes and
record responses
1. Review the Key Health Messages.
•Are there any significant messages not covered?
• Are there any changes needed?
2. Discuss how you are currently
delivering these key messages.
• Are you delivering these messages to refugees?
• If so:
◦ How?
When?
Using which resources?
• Are there opportunities for this type of education in the work you do?
• Please list the best resources you use so we may add them to the Health
Orientation Toolkit
◦ May be curricula, handouts, videos, real-world materials (medicine bottles, car seats, etc.)
3. How can we most effectively deliver these
health messages to Minnesota refugees?
• How would this look?
• What resources do you need to support you in the
effective delivery of health messages?
Reconvene as a large group
• Each table will share one health orientation resource your clients
need that isn’t currently available
• Note-takers, please give notes to MDH staff
• This information will be discussed at the next workgroup meeting
and will inform the development of the Health Orientation Toolkit
Want to join the Health Orientation Workgroup?
• Find Hannah during a break or e-mail her at
[email protected]
• The next meeting for new members will be scheduled for early March
• Thank you!