Emily J. Hadgkiss|André M. N. Renzaho
The physical health status, service utilisation and barriers to accessing care for asylum seekers residing in the community: a systematic review of the literature
St Vincent's Hospital|Monash University
document physical health problems asylum seekers experience settlement community assess utilisation healthcare services barriers care international contexta systematic review quantitative qualitative studies undertaken according preferred reporting items systematic reviews metaanalyses medline psycinfo embase cinahl databases searched 2002 october 2012 focusing adult asylum seekers residing community highincome countriesthe search yielded 1499 articles 32 studies met inclusion criteria 23 quantitative nine qualitative asylum seekers complex health profiles spanning range infectious diseases chronic noncommunicable conditions reproductivehealth issues appeared utilise health services higher rate host population yet faced significant barriers carethe findings study highlight health inequities faced asylum seekers residing communities host countries internationally national data asylum seekers health profiles service utilisation barriers care well crosscountry policy comparisons urgently required development effective australian health programs evidencebased policy known topic clinical political focus asylum seekers health largely higher incidence mental disorders impact immigration detention since policy changes made late 2011 increasing number asylum seekers permitted live community claims processed paucity research exploring physical health needs asylum seekers residing community paper add international literature highlights complexity asylum seekers health profiles although appear utilise health services higher rate host population continue face many barriers care implications practitioners studies explore policy options including crosscountry comparisons health policy guidelines improve health outcomes foster equity access reduce health inequalities asylum seekers host population urgently required