The Health Status of Zimbabwean Immigrants in the US: A Needs Assessment

Many Zimbabwean immigrants have settled in the US in the past 20 years. These immigrants originate from a country highly burdened with HIV and other non-communicable diseases. The health needs of these immigrants are not known. To determine the prevalence of health conditions, and healthcare utilization of Zimbabwean immigrants. A cross-sectional study of 98 Zimbabwean immigrants recruited at religious festivals, completed questionnaires and had blood pressure and weight measurements taken. Three quarters (74.4%) were overweight/obese, 34.7% had hypertension, 79.6% were health insured, 87% had regular PCPs. In the year prior 78.7% had seen a provider, and 25% had utilized the ER for care. Despite regular visits to providers participants, Zimbabwean immigrants utilized the ER more frequently than other populations and had high prevalence of preventable cardiovascular disease risk factors. Providers need to partner with this population to come up culturally appropriate prevention and management interventions.