Boonshoft School of Medicine to study refugee health in Ohio

Washington Post photo by Melina Mara.

Washington Post photo by Melina Mara.

A $25,000 grant could help local researchers better understand the health needs of Ohio refugees.

Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine was granted the funding from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to support the project, according to a news release from the school.

The research team will be focused on patient-centered outcomes research and will build a program focused on the health of Ohio’s refugee population.

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The research team will be led by Dr. Kate Conway, director of medical education at Boonshoft’s Department of Family Medicine.

“Health care is an obvious critical need for new arrivals, but too often they become part of a growing health disparity in our country,” Conway said. “There is confusion on all sides – the health care providers, the refugee patient, and the insurance companies. This confusion sustains an ineffective model of care that costs more and works less.”

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The team includes representatives from different health and community organizations like Catholic Social Services of Miami Valley, Center for Families, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Asian Services in Action Inc., Cleveland State University, Case Western Reserve University, JobsOhio, CareSource and Premier Health.

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