Refugee Health Statistics

Updated 11/26/2024

The Refugee and International Health Program maintains a surveillance system to monitor disease trends among newly arriving refugees. The data and summary reports are used to:

• Develop health interventions, research studies, and targeted community health education for refugees.
• Assess health disparities, service gaps, and resource needs in refugee populations.
• Evaluate and revise refugee screening and data collection protocols and provide resources for health professionals.
• Build strong relationships with partners including counties that screen refugees, public and private clinics, and resettlement agencies (RAs).

On this page:
eSHARE - Electronic System for Health Assessment of Refugees
Primary refugee data
   - Demographic data
   - Screening data
Minnesota refugee health report
Additional resources for refugee statistics

eSHARE - Electronic System for Health Assessment of Refugees

The Electronic System for Health Assessment of Refugees, or eSHARE, is a web-based application developed by the MDH Refugee Health Program (RHP) for collecting demographic information and domestic health screening results to conduct surveillance activities. eSHARE permits data entry from remote sites.

If interested in using or obtaining eSHARE, visit eSHARE which includes frequently asked questions and an informational flyer.

Primary refugee data

Primary refugee demographic data

• Primary refugees are arrivals who initially resettled in Minnesota.
• The U.S. arrival date is defined as date of U.S. arrival or date visa status was granted, for those who had their status granted in U.S. (i.e., U.S.-granted Asylees, Victims of Trafficking).
• Visa statuses include: Refugee, Asylee (U.S.-granted and Derivative), Special Immigrant Visa Holder, Victims of Trafficking, Amerasians, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and other Humanitarian Parolees.
• *Eligible arrivals: Arrivals are ineligible for health screening if they: moved out of state, moved to an unknown destination, were unable to be located due to invalid contact information, never arrived to Minnesota, didn’t have insurance, died before screening, or were already connected to care prior to being granted asylum.

World Region Map for Minnesota Refugee Health Program Statistics

This map shows how the Minnesota Department of Health’s Refugee Health Program groups countries into world regions.

• Download data: World Region Map for Minnesota Refugee Health Program Statistics (CSV)

Primary Refugee Arrivals by World Region

• Download data: Primary Refugee Arrivals by World Region (CSV)
• Data includes eligible arrivals* from 1999 through 2023.
• Data is presented by MDH World Region (see World Region Reference Map for more information).

Primary Refugee Arrivals by County

• Download data: Primary Refugee Arrivals by County (CSV)
  Refugee arrivals by initial county of resettlement, Minnesota
• Data includes eligible refugee arrivals from 1999 through 2023.
• Select one or multiple counties to filter the country demographic data per your need.

Primary Refugee Arrivals by Country of Origin and County

• Download data: Primary Refugee Arrivals by Country of Origin and County (CSV)
  Refugee arrivals by initial county of resettlement and country of origin, Minnesota
• Data includes eligible refugee arrivals from 1999 through 2023.
• Select one or multiple counties and years of arrival to filter the country demographic data per your need.
• This data only shows the top counties of primary resettlement and the top countries of origin.

Primary refugee screening data

Health Screening Data for Refugee Arrivals

• Download data: Health Screening Data for Refugee Arrivals (CSV)
• Data includes health screening data for eligible arrivals* from 1999 to 2023.
• Select one or multiple years of arrival to filter the data per your need.
• For more information and guidance on refugee health screening: The Minnesota Initial Refugee Health Assessment.

Blood Lead Screening Data for Refugee Arrivals

• Download data: Blood Lead Screening Data for Refugee Arrivals (CSV)
• Data includes blood lead level data for eligible arrivals* aged <17 years at the time of screening from 2010 to 2023.
• Data is not available before 2010 due to screening guidelines being released and updated that year.
• Please select one or multiple years of arrival to filter the data per your need.
• For more information and guidance on blood lead screening: Blood Lead Screening.
• For general information, visit Lead.

HIV Screening Data for Refugee Arrivals

• Download data: HIV Screening Data for Refugee Arrivals (CSV)
• Data includes HIV screening and results for eligible arrivals* from 2010 to 2023 who completed the post-arrival refugee health screening.
• Data is not available before 2010 due to screening guidelines being released and updated that year.
• Results are only shown for arrivals 13-64 years old at the time of screening to reflect refugee screening recommendations during this time. People who test positive for HIV complete a confirmatory test.
• Please select one or multiple years of arrival to filter the data per your need.
• For more information and guidance on HIV screening: HIV Screening.
• For general disease information, visit HIV/AIDS.

Hepatitis B Screening Data for Refugee Arrivals

• Download data: Hepatitis B Screening Data for Refugee Arrivals (CSV)
• Data includes Hepatitis B infection screening and results for eligible arrivals* from 1999 to 2023.
• Hepatitis B infection screening is defined as a positive Hepatitis B surface antigen test. Note that a positive surface antigen test alone does not identify whether someone is acutely and chronically infected.
• Please select one or multiple years of arrival to filter the data per your need.
• For more information and guidance on Hepatitis B screening: Viral Hepatitis Screening.
• For general disease information, visit Viral Hepatitis.

• Download data: Hepatitis B Results for Refugee Arrivals by World Region (CSV)
• Data includes Hepatitis B infection screening and results for eligible arrivals* from 1999 to 2023.
• Hepatitis C infection screening is defined as a positive Hepatitis B surface antigen test. Note that a positive surface antigen test alone does not identify whether someone is acutely and chronically infected.
• Please select one or multiple years of arrival to filter the data per your need.
• For more information and guidance on Hepatitis B screening: Viral Hepatitis Screening.
• For general disease information, visit Viral Hepatitis.

Hepatitis C Screening Data for Refugee Arrivals

• Download data: Hepatitis C Screening Data for Refugee Arrivals (CSV)
• Data is only shown for arrivals 18 or older at time of screening since updated 2020 CDC recommendations outline guidance for routine screening for those 18 or older.
• Hepatitis C screening guidance has changed over time. Since 1999, clinics may have been using a risk-factor based screening approach while others a universal screening approach. Hepatitis C screening involves an antibody test, followed by a PCR test to determine if, and the level of, virus in the blood. Only those who receive a positive Hepatitis C antibody test are screened with the PCR test.
• Please select one or multiple years of arrival to filter the data per your need.
• For more information and guidance on Hepatitis C screening: Viral Hepatitis Screening.
• For general disease information, visit Viral Hepatitis.

Tuberculosis (TB) and Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) Screening Data for Refugee Arrivals

• Download data: Tuberculosis (TB) and Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) Screening Data for Refugee Arrivals (CSV)
• Data includes TB disease screening data for eligible arrivals* from 1999 to 2023.
• Please select one or multiple years of arrival to filter the data per your need.
• For more information on TB refugee screening guidance on Tuberculosis: Tuberculosis (TB) Screening.
• For general disease information, visit Tuberculosis (TB).

• Download data: Tuberculosis Screening Results for Refugee Arrivals by World Region (CSV)
• Data includes TB disease screening data for eligible arrivals* from 1999 to 2023.
• Please select one or multiple years of arrival to filter the data per your need.
• For more information on TB refugee screening guidance on Tuberculosis: Tuberculosis (TB) Screening.
• For general disease information, visit Tuberculosis (TB).

Sexual Health Screening Data for Refugee Arrivals

• Download data: Sexual Health Screening Data for Refugee Arrivals (CSV)
• Data includes Chlamydia, Syphilis, and Gonorrhea screening data for eligible arrivals* from 1999 to 2023.
• Please select one or multiple years of arrival to filter the data per your need.
• For find more information and guidance on STD screening: Sexual and Reproductive Health Screening.
• For general disease information, visit Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).

Malaria Screening Data for Refugee Arrivals

• Download data: Malaria Screening Data for Refugee Arrivals (CSV)
• Data includes Malaria screening data for eligible arrivals* from 1999 to 2023.
• Screening is recommended for arrivals from sub-Saharan Africa who did not get presumptive treatment overseas, or anyone who has symptoms of malaria.
• Select one or multiple years of arrival to filter the data per your need.
• For more information and guidance on malaria screening: Malaria Screening.
• For general disease information, visit Malaria.

Intestinal Parasite Screening Data for Refugee Arrivals

• Download data: Intestinal Parasite Screening Data for Refugee Arrivals (CSV)
• Data includes parasite screening and results for eligible arrivals* from 1999 to 2023.
• Screening for intestinal parasites includes either a serology test for Shistosoma and/or Strongyloides, or an Ova and Parasite (O&P) stool exam. Results indicate either no parasitic infections found or at least one parasitic infection found via stool or serology (excluding nonpathogenic parasites).
• Please select one or multiple years of arrival to filter the data per your need.
• For more information and guidance on intestinal parasite screening: Intestinal Parasite Screening.

• Download data: Intestinal Parasite Screening for Refugee Arrivals by World Region (CSV)
• Data includes parasite screening and results for eligible arrivals* from 1999 to 2023.
• Screening for intestinal parasites includes either a serology test for Shistosoma and/or Strongyloides, or an Ova and Parasite (O&P) stool exam. Results indicate either no parasitic infections found or at least one parasitic infection found via stool or serology (excluding nonpathogenic parasites).
• Please select one or multiple years of arrival to filter the data per your need.
• For more information and guidance on intestinal parasite screening: Intestinal Parasite Screening.

Hemoglobin Screening Data for Refugee Arrivals

• Download data: Hemoglobin Screening Data for Refugee Arrivals (CSV)
• Data includes hemoglobin screening and results data for eligible arrivals* from 1999 to 2023.
• Please select one or multiple years of arrival or counties to filter the data per your need.
• Anemia categories are based on WHO hemoglobin results for specific ages and pregnancy status. For more information on these categories: WHO: Hemoglobin concentrations for the diagnosis of anemia and assessment of severity (PDF).

Minnesota Refugee Health Report

This annual report describes the demographics of primary refugee arrivals to Minnesota and provides a summary of the health screening indicators and outcomes.

• Minnesota Refugee Health Report 2023 (PDF) Updated 11/2024
  • 2022 (PDF)
  • 2021 (PDF) 
  • 2020 (PDF)
  • 2019 (PDF)
  • 2018 (PDF)
  • 2017 (PDF)
  • 2016 (PDF)
  • 2015 (PDF)
  • 2014 (PDF)
• Primary Refugee Arrival Health Screening Data, 2023 (PDF)
• Cumulative Refugee Arrivals, 1979-2023 (PDF)

Secondary Refugees

• Secondary refugees are refugees who originally resettled to another state in the United States before moving to Minnesota.
• Currently, there is no systematic way to identify all secondary refugees migrating to Minnesota. The Refugee Health Program is generally notified of secondary refugee arrivals by local public health, clinics, or resettlement agencies that have partnered with the program on the "Secondary Refugee Project" to assist with linkage to care.
• Visa statuses include: Secondary Refugee, Secondary Asylee (U.S.-granted and Derivative), Secondary Special Immigrant Visa Holder, Secondary Victims of Trafficking, and Other Secondary Humanitarian Parolees.

Notifications

Secondary Refugee Notifications by World Region Over Time

• Download data: Secondary Refugee Notifications by World Region Over Time (CSV)
• Data includes secondary refugee notifications to Minnesota from 1999 to 2023.
• Only secondary refugee notifications made to the Refugee Health Program are included in these arrival data summaries. A secondary arrival is eligible for a health assessment in MN if they 1) have been in the U.S. <1 year; 2) were not screened in their primary state; 3) and have insurance.
• The Minnesota Department of Health Refugee Health Program did not receive any notifications of secondary refugee arrivals in 2021.
• The date of notification is defined as the date when MDH was notified that a refugee had moved to Minnesota.

Additional Resources for Refugee Statistics

• Minnesota State Demographic Center
  A data-driven site offering detailed statistics on immigration trends, language demographics, and more for the state of Minnesota.
• U.S. Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration: Admissions & Arrivals
  Data from the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration’s Refugee Processing Center on refugee arrivals by country of origin and state of initial resettlement. This portal allows interactive data searching and reporting.
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Figures at a Glance
  Provides data, trends, and statistical reports on refugees, asylum-seekers, returned refugees, internally displaced, and stateless persons in more than 150 countries.
• Migration Information Source
  Global analysis of international migration and refugee trends from the Migration Policy Institute. Includes a searchable database on the U.S. foreign-born population by state.