New NRC-RIM resources address Medicaid, respiratory illnesses, and wildfires

The National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants and Migrants (NRC-RIM) collaborated with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to release a Health Needs Assessment toolkit that supports the health needs of Afghan newcomers. A health needs assessment helps organizations plan and implement programs and services to increase health equity and improve the overall health and well-being of the community.

IRC and NRC-RIM also worked together to create a fact sheet and conversation guide that explains Medicaid to Afghan and Ukrainian newcomers. This is the first of many resources to come around navigating the U.S. healthcare system.

A new conversation guide on respiratory illnesses equips service providers to talk to Afghan newcomers about the flu, the common cold, RSV, and COVID-19. A new health education collection is in the works that will include translated fact sheets, social media assets, and more that also cover these topics.

As we approach the end of wildfire season, there are still fires burning in the United States and Canada, and some cities still experience periodic air quality alerts. Next week, NRC-RIM will unveil a collection of resources aimed at preparing Afghan newcomers to stay safe when the air is unhealthy. These will prove useful in those areas still affected by 2023 fires as well as help organizations across the country plan their 2024 response.

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