As Director of CDC’s Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, which works to reduce sickness and death among globally mobile populations, I am thrilled about the potential for this exhibit to give people a better understanding of refugee health.
All four scenes of the exhibit are exquisite. I particularly recommend the Preparing for Resettlement scene for ASTMH Conference attendees looking to learn more about the kind of healthcare that is provided to refugees overseas, before they relocate to the United States. The scene is narrated by a physician working with the International Organization for Migration and features a replica clinic with medical equipment and other artifacts. It’s a remarkably accurate portrayal of the conditions in these clinics. Aspiring refugee health professionals are encouraged to stop by, take it all in, and maybe even chat with one of our roaming experts.
In our work to develop leaders and train the public health workforce, CDC provides the technical instructions for the overseas medical assessments that all refugees undergo. CDC also develops and manages public health activities, such as the Vaccination Program for U.S.-bound refugees and the presumptive treatment of parasitic infections, to protect the health of refugees. We are proud of the collaboration with ASTMH and other key partners that created this exhibit to innovatively educate audiences on the public health aspects of the refugee experience.