By Heidi de Marco, California Health Fellowship
A panel at AHCJ’s Health Journalism 2024 conference focused on the health care challenges faced by migrants and refugees in the U.S. emphasized the need for accurate reporting and addressing misinformation.
Moderator Naseem Miller, senior health editor at the Journalist’s Resource, stressed the role journalists play in shedding light on the realities of migrant health and countering misinformation. Miller, an immigrant herself, recounted her own experiences navigating the health care system upon arrival in the U.S., highlighting the confusion and challenges faced by newcomers.
Dr. Alan Shapiro, co-founder of Terra Firma, an organization providing medical and mental health care to immigrant children and families in New York, discussed the critical need for accessible health care. Terra Firma integrates medical, psychological, and legal services, offering a comprehensive support system for immigrants, particularly unaccompanied minors.
Laura Vargas, an assistant professor at the University of Colorado’s Institute of Behavioral Science, shared her research on trauma and resilience among asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border. Her insights underscored the psychological toll of migration and the importance of trauma-informed care.
Rommel Ojeda, an immigration reporter for Documented, emphasized the importance of using respectful and accurate language when covering immigrant stories. He also highlighted the role of community journalism, including the use of social media platforms, in providing nuanced coverage of immigrant issues.
Many migrants face barriers to health care due to language differences, lack of legal status, and fear of deportation. Community health centers, like the one Shapiro founded in the South Bronx, play a crucial role in providing a safe space for health care access.
The collaboration between health care providers and legal advocates is essential, he said. Medical findings can significantly impact the outcomes of immigration cases, providing evidence of trauma and abuse that supports asylum claims.
The session concluded with a call for improved media coverage of migrant issues. Journalists were encouraged to highlight the difficult conditions in migrants’ home countries, which drive them to seek refuge in the U.S., highlight the positive contributions of immigrants to American society and report on successful programs and initiatives that support migrant health and integration.
By addressing these aspects, journalists can help foster a more informed and empathetic public discourse around migrant and refugee issues, ultimately contributing to better policy and support systems for these vulnerable populations.
Heidi de Marco is a health reporter for KPBS based in San Diego, Calif. She was a 2024 AHCJ-California Health Journalism Fellow.
