Health in a New Home: Improving the health of refugees across generations

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

This project will significantly advance knowledge in refugee health by leading the first national longitudinal population-based data linkage study and mixed methods research.

Three people looking at a phone in front of a building

Our key research areas

Child health
Sexual and reproductive health
Mental Health
Alcohol and other drugs
Infectious diseases and vaccination
Chronic disease, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes
Ageing
Palliative care

Find out about

Learn more about the project by reading our study protocol (open access)

The problem

The long-term health and well-being of refugees, their families and subsequent generations is unknown in Australia and globally. We lack an evidence-based plan to address needs.

There is no engagement of refugees in decision-making in the design of health services, and there are significant knowledge gaps of refugee priority health issues, health service needs, and available resources. This hinders the health system to deliver culturally appropriate, cost-effective high-quality care.

The challenge

Comprehensive, longitudinal health data are needed to assess the social determinants of refugee health now and in the future. Authentic participatory approaches involving refugees and providers are required to co-produce health-promoting environments and responsive health services for refugees.

The solution

The project involves a data-linkage study, a cross-sectional survey with individuals and discussion-based participatory research with communities. This innovative research will deliver a ground-breaking analysis of refugee health status and service use over 20 years to project future needs.

It will also provide an understanding of factors that have contributed to flourishing refugee communities and provide new evidence to plan appropriate cost-effective health services and programs. A roadmap will be designed with refugees to achieve health and evaluate outcomes. This innovative approach will empower refugees, placing them at the centre of their health decision-making. This project has three phases:

PHASE 1: National data linkage study of existing national datasets and those in states with the largest population of refugees (NSW and Victoria).
PHASE 2: Mixed-methods health asset mapping involving a cross-sectional survey and participatory research involving World Café group discussions with refugees in NSW and Victoria.
PHASE 3: Participatory planning using nominal group process to identify health priorities.

Research outcomes

We will deliver a unique national resource of data visualisations of current and projected refugee health outcomes and needs.
We will develop a co-designed roadmap to address refugee health to inform policy and practice.
Our transformative methodology will provide an exemplar for other nations.

Health in a New Home project news

Community Health and Wellbeing World Café

28 September 2024

We're thrilled to share that our very first World Café was an incredible success! Facilitated by Om Dhungel, an expert in strength-based approach to refugee settlement and community engagement. Om’s guidance made it a truly enriching experience, sparking meaningful discussions and creating a warm, inclusive environment.

The World Café engaged people from refugee backgrounds to explore what supports and boosts their community's health and wellbeing. We’ll be running more World Cafés in several communities across Sydney and Melbourne.

Participants in groups in discussion at table

Health of refugees settled in Australia over time and generations: a transformative mixed methods study protocol

25 September 2024

We're excited to announce the protocol paper for the Health in a New Home project is available now (open access)!

Congratulations to authors (and Chief Investigators) Angela Dawson, Anita Heywood, Sally Nathan, Abela Mahimbo, Andre Renzaho, Adele Murdolo, Melissa Kang, Mitchell Smith and Andrew Hayen.

We're thrilled to share this milestone and contribute to research in refugee health and wellbeing.

Check it out

Dr Sarah Yeo, University of Arizona, visits UTS

23 August 2024

We're pleased to share that UTS had the privilege of hosting Dr Sarah Yeo from the University of Arizona. Dr. Yeo's work focuses on healthcare access and utilization among refugee populations in the United States and South Korea. Her visit marked the beginning of an exciting collaboration aimed at enhancing the uptake of cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination among refugee communities in both Australia and Arizona.

During her visit, UTS PhD student Fantu Mamo Aragaw presented her research on the epidemiology of cancer and its relationship with the uptake of the cancer care continuum among refugee populations in Australia. Her work provides critical insights that will inform our collaborative efforts.

We look forward to the positive impact this partnership will have on enhancing the health and wellbeing of refugee communities.

Dr Sarah Yeo and two other participants looking at presentation screen

Dr Sarah Yeo and other participants looking at presentation screen

Sudanese cultural day celebration and launch of the Sudanese Australian Health and Wellbeing Association (SAHWA)

11 July 2023

Chief Investigator Angela Dawson was honoured to attend and present at the Sudanese Australian Health and Wellbeing Association (SAHWA) Cultural Day Celebration and Launch of SAHWA.

SAHWA presented their work plan for the next year, which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of Sudanese Australians and provide an opportunity for the community to support each other and improve social isolation. SAHWA works to improve health outcomes, including issues facing the Sudanese community, particularly women and young people residing in Cumberland.

Sudanese cultural day celebration: Group of people holding ribbon, being cut to launch SAHWA

Sudanese cultural day celebration: Woman at podium speaking at launch of SAHWA

NSW chapter launch of the Refugee Communities Association of Australia (RCAA)

27 June 2024

Chief Investigator Angela Dawson and others were honoured to attend the launch of the Refugee Communities Association of Australia (RCAA) NSW Chapter at Parliament House last week. It was a wonderful and inspiring event and an opportunity to reflect, celebrate and acknowledge the resilience, outstanding achievements, and contribution of refugees in Australia.

RCAA is a peak national body that is led by refugees, with refugees, for refugees, with the vision to provide a national voice for the people of refugee background with lived experiences and the organisations representing them.