Refugee and Migrant Health

About our research

Our work on refugee and migrant health is driven by a desire to promote population health and equity. We believe there are differences between the health needs of refugees and migrants to be investigated, so we conduct research focused on both groups separately and considered together.

Our flagship project specifically focused on refugee health is Health in a New Home (HiNH), funded by the NHMRC. In addition, we are also conducting several other projects connected to HiNH focused on cervical screening (including for women with FGM/C) and end-of-life care, with substantial financial support from The Cancer Institute of NSW and NSW Health. Previously we have also conducted research relating to breast cancer for women from both migrant and refugee background, originally from India and Sri Lanka.

With all our projects, we work closely with partner investigators to ensure research translation occurs as well as strong guidance from relevant communities. Our partners currently include local health districts as well as community organisations such as cohealth, Community Migrant Resource Centre, NSW RefugeeHealth and Western Sydney Migrant Resource Centre.

Health in a New Home

Health in a New Home is the world’s first study to examine multi-generational health and health service use in whole populations.

Best beginnings for Baby (BeBB)

BeBB will deliver the world’s first evidence-based community-led parenting program for newly arrived parents and build the well-being, health literacy, social support and self-efficacy of expectant mothers and fathers.

Cervical screening for refugee women 

The participation in cervical cancer screening in NSW of women and people with a cervix aged 25-74 years from a refugee background is unknown and evidence-based co-design strategies have not been implemented.

This project comprises three phases in partnership with Western Sydney Local Health District, South Western Sydney Local Health District, the Western Sydney Migrant Resource Centre and Community Migrant Resource Centre: a data linkage study, dissemination of findings and prioritisation exercise, and codesign workshops.

Healthy Mum, Healthy Baby

• Arabic: صحة الأم صحة الطفل 
• Amharic: እናቱ ጤና ልጁ ጤና
• Somali: Caafimaadka Hooyo, Caafimaadka Ilmaha
• Swahili: Mama bora, mtoto bora

This research aims to increase the participation of pregnant refugee women with female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) from the greater horn of Africa in cervical screening through the integration of culturally safe, trauma-informed cervical screening in antenatal care in South Western Sydney Local Health District. 

End-of-life care for refugee communities

Our research aims to understand the end-of-life and palliative care needs of refugee populations in NSW.

Firstly, by understanding service utilisation, and what palliative care services have refugee populations living in NSW with life-limiting conditions received in the last year of life, and in which settings and localities. 

Secondly, in examining demographic and socio-cultural factors, revealing what health conditions, demographic, and socio-cultural factors characterise refugee populations who have accessed palliative care services.

Thirdly, community preferences: what are the preferences for end-of-life and palliative care among refugee populations in the SWSLHD? Finally, policy and practice priorities among refugees in the SWSLHD, and how these can be realised.

The Pink Sari project

The Pink Sari Project worked to increase the number of women in Indian and Sri Lankan communities in NSW being screened for breast cancer.

Through community events and social media campaigns, the project made a difference to women across NSW. 

Pink Sari was previously managed by the NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service, consulting and partnering with key organisations and stakeholders.