Health care for refugees and survivors of torture is becoming a growth industry, experts sadly say

Article Abstract:

Doctors are treating more refugees in the US for physical and psychological torture. The US Justice Department may grant asylum to refugees who have a proven fear that they will be tortured or killed if they return to their home countries. Doctors who wish to help these victims should be able to recognize the medical signs of torture as well as have expert knowledge when called upon to testify before the Justice Department. Doctors should be aware of the common forms of torture including beating, asphyxiation with plastic bags, heat and chemical burns, electrical burns, rape and sexual abuse and environmental, pharmacological or psychological torture. Environmental torture consists of extreme conditions such as heat, light, noise or wetness. Pharmacological torture involves the use of medications or toxic substances that alter the victims mental state. Many of these tortures leave no permanent marks and radiographic tests such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging may not show evidence of damage.

Health aspects, Methods, Medical examination, Evidence, Expert, Expert evidence, Refugees, Torture

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US-based world medical relief group finds charity begins at home

Article Abstract:

The US volunteer organization Doctors of the World has been providing medical services for the needy in its home town of New York City, NY since Aug 1992. Doctors of the World, which was founded in 1990 with the help of the French group Medicins du Monde, is an association of health care professionals that provides medical care, training and support to underserved areas all over the world. After receiving requests for help from a South Bronx community center and two needle exchange programs, the Bronx-Harlem Street Doctors program was established. The doctors travel in a mobile medical van to the needle exchange every Saturday morning and give medical advice, vaccinate for influenza, test for tuberculosis and make referrals to clinics. There is a similar program at a South Bronx community center's soup kitchen. Other Doctors of the World operations based in New York City are the Human Rights Clinic and a project that provides medical care to Tibetan refugees.

Services, Medically underserved areas

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Physician race and care of minority and medically indigent patients

Article Abstract:

Non-white physicians appear to be more likely to provide medical care to minorities, the indigent, and those in poor health compared to white physicians. Researchers surveyed 15,081 adults to study the relationship between physicians' race and patient characteristics. Of these, 14.4% usually obtained their medical care from a nonwhite physician. Nonwhite physicians were the primary providers for more than 33% of minorities and 11% of whites. Between 19% and 29% of people with low incomes, those on Medicaid, and the uninsured received medical care from nonwhite physicians compared to only 13% of people with higher incomes. Patients of nonwhite physicians tended to have more health problems than patients of white physicians. Physician characteristics including gender, geographic location, and specialization did not affect these results.

Minorities

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