Community Health Promotion & Prevention

Newcomers Health Program 

The Newcomers Health Program is a clinic-based and community-based health program that has been serving refugees and immigrants in San Francisco since the late 1970s. Historically, Newcomers Health Program has served primarily refugees with health assessment services and access to health care, and in the past decade we have expanded to planning and implementing community-based prevention and health promotion projects. Newcomers Health Program is a program of the San Francisco Department of Public Health implemented in collaboration with the International Institute of the Bay Area, Family Health Center’s Refugee Medical Clinic, Bay Area Community Resources and Ocean Park Health Center. Through these and other collaborations, and a range of clinic- and community-based programs and services, we promote the health and well-being of refugees and immigrants in San Francisco.

Communities We Work With

Since the late 1970s, it is estimated that 50,000 documented refugees and asylees have resettled in San Francisco and been provided health assessments through our program. During the 1990’s, the number of refugees resettling in San Francisco declined, and currently there is an increase in asylees and certified victims of human trafficking who also qualify for refugee services and benefits and receive services from Newcomers Health Program.  In recent years, we have served approximately 190-250 refugees and asylees per year upon their arrival in San Francisco by providing services ranging from outreach to medical interpretation to health education during initial health assessments. Currently we provide services to new arrivals from over 20 different countries, including; Thailand (Burmese refugees), China, various countries of Latin America, Mongolia, Iraq and republics of the former Soviet Union.

Through our community-based services, Newcomers Health Program works with newcomers regardless of their immigration status. The focus of these services is to implement programs that help build a community's capacity to advocate for improved health and overall well-being. Community health education, community organizing programs, general outreach, and information sharing services are provided independently and through collaborations with various community-based organizations, refugee resettlement agencies and other county programs