Document Type
Research Brief
Date
10-1-2025
Keywords
Refugee health; food insecurity; cultural competence; nutrition equity; resettlement; public health; Syracuse, New York; community-engaged research; traditional diets; chronic disease prevention; urban agriculture; multilingual nutrition education, briefs
Language
Eng
Disciplines
International and Community Nutrition
Description/Abstract
Refugees resettled in Syracuse, New York, face persistent challenges to maintaining healthy, culturally appropriate diets, barriers that extend far beyond food availability. This policy brief explores the complex intersection of nutrition, culture, and health equity among refugee families. Through community-engaged research with sub-Saharan African refugee households, findings reveal that food insecurity remains widespread, with families struggling to access familiar ingredients and affordable, nutritious options. Despite these constraints, refugee families demonstrate remarkable resilience and commitment to preserving traditional diets and promoting health within their households. However, limited cultural competence in food assistance programs and exposure of youth to unhealthy dietary norms exacerbate health risks such as obesity and chronic disease.
Recommended Citation
Mutambudzi, Miriam and Shanguhyia, Naomi, "Refugee Health and Nutrition" (2025). The Lender Center for Social Justice. 87.
https://surface.syr.edu/lender/87
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
