Immigrants' health worsens after they arrive
April 20, 2004 - Recent immigrants to Minnesota may have survived torture in Latin America, war trauma in Southeast Asia, even famine in Afric, but a new study says their health may be at greatest risk after they've lived in the US for several years. The study , by the Greater Twin Cities United Way, found that many immigrants struggle with diabetes and mental health problems after they adjust to American life. More than half of the state's foreign-born population has arrived since 1990. Kathy Lentz is the Director of Community Building Strategies for the Greater Twin Cities United Way. She says the fact that many of the new arrivals are refugees raises particular health problems.