Prevalence and Control of Chronic Diseases Among Torture Survivors at a New York City Program for Survivors

During NCTTP’s 16th Annual Symposium on March 18, 2024, Alicia Yang, BA spoke on “Prevalence and Control of Chronic Diseases Among Torture Survivors at a New York City Program for Survivors.”
 
Abstract:
Methods:
The Libertas Center for Human Rights provides comprehensive care to survivors of torture, 90% of whom are asylum-seekers. A retrospective chart review was conducted to determine the prevalence of diabetes (DM), hypertension (HTN), and hyperlipidemia (HLD) among adult Libertas clients. Calculated prevalences were age-adjusted for comparison against the general US population as established by the 2022 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Additionally, a subgroup case-series analysis was conducted of clients’ asylum-status, hemoglobin A1C, blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol.
 
Findings:
The study group (n = 180) had an average age of 37 years. The age-adjusted prevalences with standard error per 1,000 people was 319.62 (±34.81) for DM, 418.14 (±36.88) for HTN, and 420.67 (±36.60) for HLD. All prevalences were greater in the Libertas cohort, with statistical significance in DM (p<0.0001) and HLD (p=0.0041) prevalences. The case-series of longitudinal health metrics suggest that being granted asylum correlates with better DM and HLD management.
 
Interpretation/Conclusion:
Libertas clients (asylum-seekers or recent asylees) have a higher age-adjusted prevalence of DM, HTN, and HLD than the general US population. Being granted asylum may be associated with improved chronic disease progression. Additional studies into asylum status as a social determinant of health are needed.
 
Author/Presenter:
Alicia Yang is a second-year medical student at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and a global health student who worked with the Libertas team during the summer of 2023 to do a research project on the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia among the Libertas clients. Before she moved to New York, she graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology/Neuroscience and minors in Writing and Medical Humanities. She is currently involved with Mount Sinai’s clinic for uninsured patients, a global surgery initiative, and global frontline health advocacy. As an aspiring physician, she wants to continue to serve her local community, support human rights programs, stay curious and critical about the world, and write.