Health of Resettled Iraqi Refugees—San Diego County, California, October 2007–September 2009

In recent years, Iraqi refugees have been resettling in the US in large numbers, with approximately 28,000 arrivals during Oct 2007-Sep 2009 (federal fiscal years [FYs] 2008 and 2009). All refugees undergo a required medical examination before departure to the US to prevent importation of communicable diseases, including active tuberculosis (TB), as prescribed by CDC Technical Instructions. CDC also recommends that refugees receive a more comprehensive medical assessment after arrival, which typically occurs within the first 90 days of arrival. Here, Ramos describes the health profile of these resettled Iraqi refugees in San Diego County CA, where post-arrival medical assessment data were reviewed.