Since 2021, CHETRE has been leading a program of research with Refugee Health Services focused on the needs and outcomes for refugee and asylum seekers when accessing health and social services.

The research focused on four projects, in collaboration with refugee health services:

• Scoping study on the public health risk faced by asylum seekers living in the Community in NSW

• Asylum seekers access to health care services in Australia

• Public health risks faced by asylum seekers during COVID-19

• Evaluation of RHS Volunteer program

The systematic scoping study followed the standard guidance for conducting scoping reviews. The other components were qualitative studies, around 40 interviews with refugee and asylum seekers and service staff.

Given the ongoing vulnerability faced by refugees and especially asylum seekers who tend to have fewer protections or formal support systems, the program will provide important insights into how services can be better aligned and provided with an equity lens.

Related Publications

1.      Mengesha, Z., Alloun, E., Weber, D., Smith, M., Harris, P. (2022) ‘Lived the pandemic twice’: A scoping review of the unequal impact of the COVID – 19 pandemic on asylum seekers and undocumented migrants. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19 (11), 6624

2.      Mengesha, Z, Weber, D., Smith, M., Harris., P., Haigh, F., (2023) “Fragmented care”: Asylum seekers experience of accessing health care in New South Wales. Health Promotion International 38(5).

Funding Organisation

NSW Refugee Health Service

Partner Organisations

Health Equity Research and Development Unit, Sydney LHD

NSW Refugee Health Service

Chief Investigator

Patrick Harris

Project Team

Zelalem Mengesha (research officer), Danielle Weber, Mitchell Smith, Fiona Haigh

Contact Person

Patrick Harris