Intersecting Structural Barriers and Hypertension Management Among Middle East and North Africa Refugees Resettled in the United States: A Qualitative Study

This is an article that examines how structural barriers and social inequities affect hypertension management among Middle Eastern and North African refugees resettled in the United States. In this article, qualitative interviews were conducted with Syrian and Iraqi refugees to explore how factors such as discrimination, poverty, language barriers, social isolation, and refugee policies contribute to chronic stress and difficulties managing hypertension. This information was gathered from interviews with 54 refugees living in California who had a clinical diagnosis of hypertension.

The participants will be able to:

1. Describe how structural oppression affects hypertension management among refugees post-resettlement.

2. Understand the importance of hypertension management in helping prevent health disparities. 

HESPA III Competencies Included:   

5.1.5  Select a research design model and the types of data to be collected 

5.3.6  Synthesize findings 

6.1.2  Examine evidence-informed findings related to identified health disparities and underlying causes to determine desired changes