Migrant Clinicians Network's white paper, “Failures of US Health Care System for Pregnant Asylum Seekers,” outlines how pregnant asylum seekers who have been released into the US to await their asylum hearing face extreme obstacles to secure prenatal care, despite their legal presence within the country.

Without prenatal care, infants will not have the benefit of early screening and treatment for potentially life-threatening diseases and screening for congenital abnormalities, while in utero. Additionally, pregnancies without prenatal care may result in excess utilization of emergency services which produces unforeseen strain on the health care system.

Knowledge of prenatal care needs, cost, lack of insurance, transportation, refusal by health centers, and fear are delineated as key barriers for pregnant asylum seekers from accessing the care they need during their pregnancy.

Press contact: Claire Hutkins Seda, cseda@migrantclinician.org. 

The following images can be used for social media posts or other purposes. The illustrations depict a healthcare worker and woman discussing vaccines and money. The images have empty speech bubbles that can be edited to include text. 

The following images can be used for social media posts or other purposes. The illustrations depict two people standing six feet apart while wearing masks. The images can be used to promote social distancing and practices to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases. 

The following images can be used for social media posts or other purposes. It depicts three people with band-aid symbols on their clothing to represent vaccination. 

The following images can be used for social media posts or other purposes. Their purpose is to promote the scheduling of vaccination appointments. 

The following images can be used for social media posts or other purposes. The illustrations promote safe vaccinations for pregnant and nursing women. Both color and printer-friendly options are available. 

The following images can be used for social media posts or other purposes. The illustrations promote vaccination for teenagers. Both color and printer-friendly options are available. 

The following images can be used for social media posts or other purposes. The illustrations promote vaccination for children. Both color and printer-friendly options are available. 

The primary goals of this project to be achieved through this curriculum are:

1) Increasing the capacity of students and community to think critically about environmental problems and the related decisions that affect human health and the environment as it relates to disaster preparation and response;

2) Increase community participation and collaboration with the goal of improving protections for human health and the environment as it relates to disaster preparation and response; and

3) Ensure chemical safety and safe water as it relates to disaster preparation and response.

Videos

1. Currículo de educación ambiental: In this Spanish-language presentation, Alma Galván, MCH, Senior Program Manager of Occupational Health, provides an introduction to MCN’s environmental education curriculum presented in Puerto Rico.
    
2. Agua Segura y seguridad con químicos: In this Spanish-language environmental education presentation, MCN’s Myrellis Muñiz-Márquez, MPH, Program Manager in Puerto Rico, shares tools to stay safe from chemical exposure, contaminated water, and non-point source pollution, before, during, and after a disaster.
    
3. Emergencias y desastres: In this Spanish-language environmental education presentation, MCN’s Marysel Pagán-Santana, DrPH, MS, Senior Program Manager in Puerto Rico, identifies the environmental and health risks of disasters and encourages prevention measures and planning to protect individual and community health during and after emergencies.

Materials

Safe Water | Environmental Education Resources

Emergency and Disaster Management | Environmental Education Resources