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. Newcomers Health Program is a program of the San Francisco Department of Public Health implemented in collaboration with the International Institute of San Francisco, Refugee Medical Clinic and Bay Area Community Resources and Ocean Park Health Center. Through community 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

Traditionally, Newcomers Health Program has served primarily refugees with health access services for health care. Since the late 1970s, close to 30,000 documented refugees have arrived in San Francisco. Currently, the number of refugees resettling in San Francisco is declining, and there has been an increase in asylees. In recent years, Newcomers Health Program has served approximately 190-250 refugees and asylees per year upon their arrival in San Francisco by providing medical interpretation and health education services during initial health assessments. Currently, Chinese asylees make up about 45% of the total number of new arrivals, Russian-speaking refugees about 30%, and refugees and asylees from countries and regions such as Burma, Vietnam, Mongolia, Nepal, Cuba, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East comprise about 25%.

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