Search

Background: Children from refugee backgrounds are less likely to access appropriate health and social care than non-refugee children. Our aim was to identify refugee children's health/wellbeing strengths and needs, and the barriers and enablers to accessing services while preparing for primary and secondary school, in a low socio-economic multicultural community in Australia., Method: Ten focus groups were facilitated with Arabic-speaking refugee parents of children aged 2-5 years (n = 11) or in first year secondary school (n = 22); refugee adolescents starting high school (n = 16); and key service providers to refugee families (n = 27). Vignettes about a healthy child and a child with difficulties guided the discussions. Data was thematically analysed and feedback sought from the community via the World Café method., Results: Personal resilience and strong family systems were identified as strengths. Mental health was identified as a complex primary need; and whilst refugees were aware of available services, there were issues in knowing how to access them. Opportunities for play/socialisation were recognised as unmet adolescent needs. Adults spoke of a need to support integration of "old" and "new" cultural values. Parents identified community as facilitating health knowledge transfer for new arrivals; whilst stakeholders saw this as a barrier when systems change. Most parents had not heard of early childhood services, and reported difficulty accessing child healthcare. Preschooler parents identified the family "GP" as the main source of health support; whilst parents of adolescents valued their child's school. Health communication in written (not spoken) English was a significant roadblock. Differences in refugee family and service provider perceptions were also evident., Conclusions: Refugee families face challenges to accessing services, but also have strengths that enable them to optimise their children's wellbeing. Culturally-tailored models of care embedded within GP services and school systems may assist improved healthcare for refugee families.

Human rights are those basic standards without which people cannot live in dignity. Children are at risk of human rights violations because of their vulnerability in society. The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), a United Nations (UN) treaty acknowledges that addressing children's human rights requires special attention. In Australia groups such as children seeking asylum, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children with disabilities, children in care and children living in poverty are identified to be at particular risk. As individuals and collectively, we have had a long history of gathering information, advocacy and tailoring training to improve children's health and well-being. A human rights approach and the use of the CRC provide an additional framework to do this.

Although children in Australia generally have good health, some alarming indicators of poor health and wellbeing exist, which are related to major socioeconomic discrepancies. The pathways connecting socioeconomic disadvantage to child health outcomes are complex and poorly understood. Reducing social disadvantage requires strategies beyond the health arena, involving political, moral, cultural and economic initiatives. Developing "social capital"--cohesion in communities, a sense of belonging and involvement in community affairs--may be a key strategy in improving health indicators. Overseas studies of early intervention and home visiting programs in early childhood have shown improvements in child health and development outcomes. Similar programs have been introduced in Australia and face considerable challenges in their widespread roll-out and evaluation. Health professionals need to develop practical ways to interact with community programs and thus improve social capital.

A 6-year-old child, held in detention with his parents pending the outcome of their application for refugee status, manifested psychological distress by repeated episodes of refusing to eat or drink. This case presented clinical and ethical dilemmas for health professionals who were constrained from acting in the child's best interests by government policy of mandatory detention.

The COVID‐19 pandemic and associated system disruptions are impacting all children and young people (CYP) in Australia. For vulnerable groups of CYP, who already experience poorer health and well‐being, these impacts are amplified. Challenges include reduced access to usual services, reduced community supports, financial instability, unemployment and other life circumstances that threaten to widen pre‐existing inequities. This article aims to present the reasons for vulnerability of CYP during the pandemic, and to focus on actions by health professionals that mitigate additional challenges to their health and well‐being. Using a rapid review of the literature and team‐based discussions, eight vulnerable groups were identified: CYP with disabilities, mental health conditions and chronic diseases; CYP facing financial hardship; within the child protection system; Aboriginal; migrant and refugee; in residential care; rural; and isolated CYP. Recommendations for action are required at the level of governments, health professionals and researchers and include enhancing access to health and social supports, prioritising vulnerable CYP in resuming health activity and elevating the voice of CYP in designing the response. The pandemic can be conceptualised as an opportunity to create a more equitable society as we document the inequities that have been exacerbated. Vulnerable groups of CYP must be recognised and heard, and targeted actions must focus on improving their health outcomes during the pandemic and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Families from migrant and refugee backgrounds have a right to expect safe and high quality health care in their country of settlement. In order for health care teams to provide culturally responsive care, an understanding of the way in which communication, health perceptions and beliefs can impact on care is required. This article covers the issues faced by children and families from culturally diverse backgrounds in accessing appropriate health care, focusing on the impact of health perceptions and beliefs, communication styles and acculturation. We present concepts, strategies and tools that can inform health practitioners, improve clinician-patient relationships in an empowering and therapeutic way, and impact on care delivery and health outcomes for migrant and refugee populations. They are relevant to health care teams providing care to families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors reflect on issues surrounding Australia's immigration policy, particularly on detaining asylum seeker children. They highlight the negative effect of prolonged detention on immigrant children's mental and emotional health, noting that children in detention facilities experience significant language and developmental delays as well as behaviour disorders. They also highlight the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, which has been opposed to detaining immigrant children.