Characterization of the Demographics and Psychiatric Co-Morbidites Among Clients of a Human Rights Clinic in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States

Abstract

Miami-Dade County (MDC) represents a major port of entry for people seeking asylum in the United States, and few studies have systematically evaluated the demographic characteristics of this vulnerable population. Moreover, while the burden of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are thought to be higher in this population, the prevalence of these psychiatric conditions in our community is unknown. An analysis of demographics and psychiatric co-morbidities of the Human Rights Clinic (HRC) of Miami's 93 clients between 2010 and 2015 was conducted. The HRC cohort had the following characteristics: median age of 30 years, 52% female, 46% male, 2% transgender or intersex, and 88% originating from Latin America and the Caribbean. The prevalence of PTSD was 67% and MDD was 53% in the HRC population. We conclude that the mental health burden in asylumseekers in MDC is alarmingly high and that healthcare providers should remain keenly attentive to the unique needs of this population.

Prevalence and Outcomes of COVID-19 among Hematology/Oncology Patients and Providers of a Community-Facing Health System during the B1.1.529 (“Omicron”) SARS-CoV-2 Variant Wave

“…Patients of color remain at higher risk for both COVID-19 infection [20] and subsequent treatment delay [21], which held true for all 90 patients who tested positive in our cohort. Moreover, our cohort is unique among others represented in the literature as our catchment area includes one of two metropolitan areas in North America in which greater than 50% of residents are born outside the country, with over 90% originating from Latin America and the Caribbean in our county alone [22]. Immigrant populations are at heightened risk for exposure to COVID-19 for various reasons including lack of formal documentation, "frontline" occupations, overcrowded living conditions, and lack of access to health care [23].…”