Re: FoN Inquiry

[Friends of Nepal (Aaron)]

Hi everyone,

Happy new year!

A nursing student in NH contacte dme  looking for help with a research projct on the health issues of the refugees. Is anyone willing to speak with her? Her info is included and original email below. Pls contact her directly.

Thanks,

Aaron
www.friendsofnepal.com

On Tue, Feb 14, 2012 at 10:48 AM, Shenandoah Curley <shenando...@gmail.com> wrote:

Aaron,

thank you so much for getting back to me.  Ideally, I would be able to interview (phone, email) someone who can speak directly to the following:

• What are the major challenges faced by the immigrant Bhutanese population in relation to healthcare?
• What are the major healthcare concerns (conditions) within the Bhutanese population in the US?
• What beliefs, customs, behaviors (ie: childbirth, infant care, family/gender roles, non-verbal communication) are important for healthcare providers to understand when communicating and assessing the Bhutanese population?
• What misconceptions, if any, currently exist regarding this population?
• How does this population view mental illness?  Disabilities?
• Is there a significant incidence of PTSD with the Bhutanese refugees?  Do they seek help?  Is it available?

If you have a volunteer that is a nurse or physician that would be willing to interview with me regarding some of these questions, that would be amazing.  Any information at all is welcome and appreciated.  Opinions are welcome as well.

Thank you again,

shenandoah curley

On Sun, Feb 12, 2012 at 9:07 PM, Friends of Nepal (Aaron) <in...@friendsofnepal.com> wrote:

Shenandoah,

We have a network of volunteers across the country who are helping these communities. If you give me some specific questions I can send them out to our group.

Thanks,

Aaron
www.friendsofnepal.com

On Sun, Feb 12, 2012 at 10:56 AM, <shenando...@gmail.com> wrote:

I am a nursing student doing a cultural project on the Bhutanese population in the US/New Hampshire.  Specifically, how understanding Bhutanese cultural can help us to provide more complete and understanding healthcare to this population.  I  would love to get the opinion of people in the community or those that assist them in their transition to the US.  Any thoughts?




from:

Shenandoah Curley

[ralph parker]

I sent her an email and can put her in touch with Atlanta folks-we are up to 3500 Bhutanese and still #1.   By the way NH is no 13, with 1442 settled as of  12/31   Mass   1491 Ct    177 VT     811 RI     180   FYI --- On Tue, 2/14/12, Friends of Nepal (Aaron) <in...@friendsofnepal.com> wrote:

-- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "BhutaneseResettlement" group. To post to this group, send email to bhutaneser...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to bhutaneseresettl...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/bhutaneseresettlement?hl=en.

[Doug Hall]

Shenandoah,

I am going to suggest that you contact Tika Acharya.

Tika is one of the Bhutanese refugees here in New Hampshire. He is presently working in the NH Division of Public Health on refugee health issues. He is also the Executive Director of the Bhutanese Community of New Hampshire. He should be able to answer questions for you better than anyone, being both professional involved and a member of the community. His wife is also involved, she is on the staff at Concord Hospital.

Tika's office email address : tikaram...@dhhs.state.nh.us
His office telephone is: 603-271-1038

You may tell him that I was the person who referred you to him.

Doug Hall

[ralph parker]

Shenandoah   Just a couple more comments from Atanta. We have a great organization Refugee Family Servces that may be able to help, if you are looking for a less local issue. Also, there is a American psychiatrist who lived in Nepal and speaks fluent Nepali. He moved from Atlanta to DC and I think I have his number.-his name is Brandon Cort. He established a special program while here at Grady Hospital.   Call if you wnat my personal perspective. --- On Tue, 2/14/12, Doug Hall <dough...@comcast.net> wrote:

From: Doug Hall <dough...@comcast.net> Subject: Re: FoN Inquiry

[Beth Heiderich]

Hello,

My name is Beth and I have befriended a large number of Bhutanese Refugees from Nepal. One of the main things I do is assit them with medical issues. I was even blessed be allowed to assit one friend through out her pregnancy and was present at the birth! I have seen many issues with the health of our friends. A large number of our children seem to have lead poisioning. I fear this may be from drinking hot water from the taps here. Many off the homes are old and pipes may be lead. In their country they boiled the water and are accustomed to drinking it hot or warm. A large percent of disabled people all ranging in age 23 to 25. Muteness seems to be the main disabilty. I am trying to research if there was a lack of iodine in the soil in Bhutan. If I can be of any help to your studies please fell free to contact me @315-507-4271 I live near Utica NY. We have around 225 Bhutanese resettled here.

 

---

Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:53:32 -0500
From: dough...@comcast.net
To: bhutaneser...@googlegroups.com
CC: in...@friendsofnepal.com; shenando...@gmail.com
Subject: Re: FoN Inquiry

[Doug Hall]

Beth,

The paint in old homes is more likely the source of lead poisoning than the pipes. Old lead paint gets into the house dust and air and is breathed in. Smaller kids have been known to pick stuff up off the floor and put it in their mouths, of course. This affects anyone living in old houses that have not been rehabbed. See this from EPA:

http://www.epa.gov/lead/

Because refugees are typically housed in rather old low-rent housing in cities, this can have a direct effect on their health.

A few years ago two refugee toddlers in Manchester NH died from lead paint poisoning, but disability is a much greater risk than outright death.

Doug Hall

[Aaron Rome]

Beth is right about the water. Hot water going through lead pipes - usually in the city lines NOT the pipes in the house - will result in leaching lead. 

Thanks,

Aaron

(Sent from my iPhone)

[ralph parker]

Shenandoah You may want to call Dembir Timsina here in Atlanta  404 438 2854 He has done extensive work as a medical translator at our charity hospital Studies have shown a B12 deficiency in Bhutanese. Other issues that I observed here Malnutrition- small stature/thin Focus on a rice diet Have definite eye issues, undiagnosed diabetes, latent TB I notice a lot of respiratory issues Suicides-at least 13 nationally Poor choices in clothing for climate. HBP We have a few deaf/mute families

--- On Tue, 2/14/12, Doug Hall <dough...@comcast.net> wrote:

From: Doug Hall <dough...@comcast.net> Subject: Re: FoN Inquiry To: bhutaneser...@googlegroups.com