Discrimination Linked to Higher Healthcare Barriers for U.S. Refugees

A 2025 study of about 4,500 refugees who completed the Annual Survey of Refugees in 2020, 2021 and 2022 found that those who reported experiencing discrimination were more likely to report obstacles to accessing medical care. While 39 % of refugees who did not report discrimination cited at least one barrier, 66 % of those who did reported a barrier. The difference remained after controlling for health status, English proficiency, financial hardship, education, employment, insurance coverage and time in the U. S. , indicating that perceived unfair treatment is a stronger predictor of healthcare access problems than language or economic factors. The survey also captured discrimination in everyday settings such as housing, employment, police interactions and retail, with 38 % of respondents reporting worse treatment than U. S. -born individuals. Separate analyses showed that Black women and women of Middle Eastern or North African origin faced nearly twice the difficulty in obtaining care compared to white men, echoing broader patterns of racial and gender disparities in U. S. health services. These findings suggest that even when refugees are eligible for insurance and initial health screenings, perceived discrimination can erode trust and deter them from seeking needed care.