An Update on CGHSR's National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants and Migrants

With more than $5 million in support from the CDC and the International Organization for Migration, CGHSR has established the National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants (NRC-RIM) that will focus on the prevention, mitigation, and control of COVID-19 within those communities. 

This initiative, led by Drs. Bill Stauffer and Shailey Prasad, is a collaboration of multiple departments and colleges from across the University of Minnesota. External partners include the International Rescue Committee, the Migrant Clinicians Network, and the Minnesota Department of Health. Together, they will support state and local health departments by collecting, developing, and disseminating best and promising practices related to COVID-19 response among RIM communities.

NRC-RIM will also develop online training, curate culturally and linguistically appropriate health education and health communications, and support pilot projects that foster partnerships between health departments and community-based organizations serving RIM communities.

The development of the center comes in response to the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on many refugee, immigrant and migrant communities. A growing body of evidence shows that various socioeconomic factors lead to increased COVID-19 infection rates and poorer health outcomes in these communities across the U.S.

NRC-RIM will also be advised by a Community Leadership Board made up of members of RIM communities to guide the project.

For more information, please visit the website and sign up for the program's newsletter.