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Contact Info
Refugee Health Program
651-201-5414
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Contact Info

Refugee Health Program
651-201-5414
refugeehealth@state.mn.us

Haitian Newcomer Health Profile

centers of excellence in newcomer health minnesotaLast updated: November 2025

On this page:
Priority health conditions
Background
Cultural beliefs and practices
Health care and outcomes
Health concerns
     Communicable diseases
     Non-communicable diseases and injuries
Medical screening of Haitian arrivals
     Overseas medical examinations
     Domestic medical exam analysis
References

Priority health conditions

Based on available data, the following are priority health conditions that health care providers should consider when caring for Haitian newcomers. More information is available in the dropdown sections below.

  • Communicable diseases
    • Hepatitis B and C
    • Parasitic diseases
    • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
    • Tuberculosis (TB)
    • Vectorborne and waterborne diseases
  • Non-communicable diseases
    • Anemia
    • Diabetes mellitus
    • Hypertension
    • Mental health
    • Sickle cell trait
  • Health care and outcomes
    • Malnutrition (pediatrics)
    • Maternal health (reproductive health)

Background

Haiti’s indigenous population, composed of the Arawak and Taíno people, dates back thousands of years. The name Haiti comes from the Taíno name for the land, Ay-ti, meaning “land of mountains.” In the 1400s and 1500s, Spanish colonization led to the near extinction of the Taíno people and brought enslaved West Africans to the island. France also colonized Haiti beginning in the 1600s, continuing the slave trade. In 1804, Haiti became the first Black republic in the Western hemisphere after the Haitian Revolution.1 However, France did not formally recognize Haiti’s independence until 1825, when it imposed a large indemnity as compensation for the loss of France’s colony and enslaved labor force. This financial burden crippled Haiti’s economy and hindered its development.2,3 The United States (U.S.) intervened in Haiti beginning in the 1890s. From 1914 to 1935, the U.S. Marines occupied Haiti, controlling Haitian governance and finances. The U.S. maintained control of Haiti’s finances until 1941 and indirect control over Haiti until 1947.4,5 In recent history, Haiti has endured complex political unrest, economic crises, controversial international interventions, and natural disasters.6

Haiti, with a population of approximately 11.9 million, occupies the western third of the island of Hispaniola and is bordered by the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean Sea. Haiti is a tropical, mountainous country that is highly vulnerable to natural disasters including hurricanes, droughts, and earthquakes.7,8

Figure 1: Map of Haiti

Map of Haiti

More than half of Haiti’s population is Roman Catholic, and about one-fourth are Protestant or independent Christian. Most Haitian Roman Catholics also practice Vodou, a religion whose gods are derived from West African religions.9

Haiti’s official languages are Haitian Creole and French.10 An estimated 95% of Haitians speak only Haitian Creole, with approximately 5% speaking both Haitian Creole and French.11 Despite this, the educational system uses French as the primary mode of communication. The distinction between Haitian Creole and French may be a sensitive topic, as those with French fluency tend to be of higher socioeconomic status.12

While Haitians highly value education, access to formal education has been limited due to factors such as natural disasters, disease outbreaks, social and political unrest, and violence.13 A small proportion of Haitian children attend school, mostly in private or church-administered institutions. About 60% of adults are literate, with greater literacy in urban areas.14

In the U.S., Haitian immigrants have similar levels of English proficiency as other immigrant groups, with approximately 10% of Haitian immigrants reporting speaking English at home. As of 2022, Haitians in the U.S. were less likely to have a college degree than the U.S. born population and immigrants overall.15

Since the mid-20th century, Haitians have migrated to the U.S. in response to persistent political instability, persecution, economic crises, and natural disasters. The U.S. is the top destination for Haitian migrants, followed by the Dominican Republic, Chile, and Canada. As of 2022, nearly 731,000 Haitian immigrants resided in the U.S., comprising the country’s 15th largest foreign-born population. As of 2021, the highest concentrations of Haitians in the U.S. are in Florida (49%) and New York (19%).16

There are many migration routes for Haitians who come to the U.S. Some Haitians come by way of South America (e.g., Brazil and Chile), where they settled initially, sometimes for years, but faced challenges that led them to migrate again.17 Haitians are also among the top nationalities of migrants crossing the dangerous Darién Gap between Colombia and Panama.18 The migration journey may present a multitude of challenges, including lack of access to medical care, exposure to infectious diseases, and increased risk of assault, exploitation, and trafficking.19 Therefore, clinicians are encouraged to inquire about risks encountered on patients’ migration journeys.

Cultural beliefs and practices

Haitian culture is collectivistic and has been influenced by African, European, and Latin American traditions.20 Haitians have a rich culture and society, including a strong sense of community, hospitality, and respect for family and elders. Family and community support are important in Haiti.21,22 It is common to see Haitian families in multigenerational households,23 which can provide support and positively impact physical and emotional well-being.24 This can make separation from family during migration especially challenging.

For Haitians, the traditional concept of health is based on the balance of many factors such as spirituality, familial relationships, and being in harmony with friends and family.25 People are conceptualized as four parts: 

  • ti bon anj (“little good angel”)
  • gwo bon anj (“big good angel”)
  • lonbraj (“shadow”)
  • kò kadav (“physical body”)

Each part is vulnerable to illness, with treatment tailored to the part of the self that is ill.26 Many Haitians believe that God is the ultimate decider of health, illness, life, and death.27 As the Haitian proverb tout maladi pa maladi doktè states, “not all illnesses are for doctors.”28 Illness can often be viewed as the result of wrongdoing, and some Haitians may prefer to rely on spirituality for good health rather than Western health care.29 Oftentimes, traditional medicine is used for disease prevention, whereas Western medicine is used for curative treatment. Lack of access to health care in Haiti can impact health seeking behavior in the U.S., which may in turn be seen by Western health care providers as a passivity in relation to health decisions.30

Health care and outcomes

Despite improvements in health indicators such as life expectancy over the last 25 years, Haiti’s health system faces many challenges.31 Haitians struggle to access healthcare due to poor infrastructure, lack of funding and health care workers, limited access to basic services, unavailability of blood products, and attacks on health care facilities by armed groups. At the same time, health needs are high due to displacement, violence, infectious disease outbreaks, and low rates of preventative care.32

The life expectancy at birth in Haiti improved from 57.7 years in 2000 to 62.5 years in 2021. The top five causes of death in 2021 were ischemic heart disease (107.5 per 100,000), stroke (97.4 per 100,000), COVID-19 (74.8 per 100,000), lower respiratory infections (53.6 per 100,000), and diabetes mellitus (48.7 per 100,000).33 In 2019, the adjusted rate of potentially avoidable premature mortality in Haiti was 167.5% higher than the average rate for the Region of the Americas as a whole.34

Immunization coverage in Haiti varies, and several vaccines, including the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and hepatitis B vaccine birth dose, are not in the national immunization schedule and are not routinely provided. The most current immunization rates can be found at WHO: Immunization Dashboard - Haiti. 

The neonatal, infant, and child mortality rates in Haiti are the highest in the Western Hemisphere.35 In Haiti in 2022, the neonatal mortality rate was 24 per 1,000,36  the infant mortality rate was 44 per 1,000,37 and the under-five mortality rate was 56.5 per 1,000.38  These were 7.6, 8.2, and 9.0 times the U.S. rates in 2022, respectively. Haitian infants and children are at high risk for malnutrition. A report from Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) showed that nearly half of Haitians experienced high levels of acute food insecurity between March and June 2023.39 IPC also reported that nearly 277,000 Haitian children aged 6 to 59 months faced or were expected to face acute malnutrition between December 2023 and November 2024, including 125,000 severely malnourished children.40

A 2016-2017 national survey found that the rate of breastfeeding initiation in Haiti was over 95% and the median duration of any breastfeeding was 16.7 months. However, rates of exclusivity and early initiation were low (47%).41 As with all immigrant children, it is important to perform developmental assessments for Haitian infants and children as part of standard medical evaluations, including those whose education has been interrupted by conflict.42 However, clinicians should be aware that symptoms including nocturnal enuresis, poor eye contact, selective mutism, or withdrawn behavior may actually be stress reactions related to past traumatic events.43 Children with these symptoms may benefit from a referral to a child behavioral specialist.

Reproductive health outcomes

Despite significant progress, Haiti has the highest maternal mortality rate in the Western Hemisphere with 350 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020.44 Contributors to high maternal mortality include poor health infrastructure and access to health services.45 A 2008 United States Agency for International Development (USAID) report indicated that the leading causes of maternal mortality in Haiti were eclampsia (37.5%), postpartum hemorrhage (22%), infection (20%), gynecological disorders (11%), and other conditions including anemia (16%).46  According to 2022 Haitian Ministry of Health data, of all pregnant people who sought prenatal care, 29.5% had their first visit within the first trimester and 21.7%  had 4 prenatal visits as recommended by the World Health Organization.47 In 2018, 65.1% of births were attended by skilled birth personnel.48

In the U.S., maternal health disparities among Haitian immigrants have been described in cities with the largest Haitian communities–Miami, New York, and Boston.49 These disparities include increased risk for preterm birth, low birth weight, cesarean sections, and preeclampsia.50,51,52,53 The underlying causes of these disparities are not well established but are likely a combination of sociodemographic factors, lack of access to health care, and uncontrolled pre-existing medical conditions. Recently arrived migrants also have significant exposure to stress and trauma, which likely impact pregnancy outcomes.

Family planning

Haiti has the highest level of unmet need for family planning and lowest use of modern contraceptives in the Latin American/Caribbean region. 2012 National Health Survey data that included 8,750 Haitian women of reproductive age found that 48.5% of Haitian women in need of contraception were using a contraceptive method. Among Haitian women, 34.8% used any contraceptive method including rhythm, withdrawal, lactational amenorrhea, and other traditional methods. Thirty-one point three percent used a modern contraceptive method including intrauterine devices (IUDs), oral contraceptive pills, injectables, and condoms.54 Many factors contribute to Haitian women’s limited access to family planning, including lack of access to healthcare,55  lack of family planning education, fear of side effects or health risks (including infertility), and cultural barriers.56 Many Haitian women believe that monthly menstruation is necessary to “clean” their wombs and prevent movè san or “bad blood”; subsequently, women may avoid contraceptive methods that cause amenorrhea or irregular menses.57

Sexual and gender-based violence

A 2024 national survey found that lifetime prevalence rates of sexual violence among adolescents and young adults in Haiti were 29.0% for females and 25.7% for males.58 In Haiti, gangs use sexual violence as a weapon of terror and control, with reports of gang rapes and aggravated sexual assaults with the explicit intent of mutilation.59,60 Foreign personnel, such as peacekeepers, have also sexually exploited Haitians.61 Contributing factors to sexual and gender-based violence include persistent social and political unrest, governmental and law enforcement collapse, extreme socioeconomic hardship, and challenges in the built environment and communications infrastructure. Lack of basic necessities has also led some women to engage in transactional sex or enter dangerous spaces to secure scarce items, leading to increased vulnerability.62 A history of sexual violence is associated with increased risk of depression, psychological distress, substance use, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and STIs.63,64 Despite the increased need, individuals who have been assaulted are often unable to access supportive services and medical care in Haiti.65,66

Prenatal screening considerations in the U.S. 

In addition to routine prenatal screening, recent Haitian arrivals should be considered at increased risk and screened for the following conditions pursuant to the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) guidance on Routine Tests During Pregnancy: 

  • Tuberculosis (CDC: Tuberculosis in Pregnancy)
  • HIV/AIDS (ACOG: Prenatal and Perinatal Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing)
  • Syphilis
  • Gonorrhea/chlamydia
  • Lead (ACOG: Lead Screening During Pregnancy and Lactation)

Health Concerns

Communicable Diseases

Communicable diseases accounted for 24.7% of deaths in Haiti in 2019.67 Communicable diseases in Haiti include cholera,68 dengue fever,69 hepatitis B and C,70 HIV,71  leptospirosis,72 malaria,73 multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB),74 rabies,75 typhoid fever,76 Zika virus,77 and parasitic diseases.78 Of note, Chagas disease (also known as American trypanosomiasis), hantavirus, chikungunya virus, and yellow fever are endemic in regions of Latin America through which Haitians may have travelled or lived before arriving in the U.S.79,80,81,82 As such, it is important for clinicians to inquire about patients’ migration journeys.

Haiti has the highest human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) burden in the Caribbean,83 with a stable rate of approximately 2% since 2008.84  Most HIV transmission occurs through heterosexual sex (with higher prevalence rates in major cities), men who have sex with men, female sex workers, and prison populations.85 Notably, Haiti’s HIV incidence (new infections per 1000 uninfected population) was reduced from 0.87 (0.73-1.1) in 2010 to 0.48 (0.32-0.72) in 2023.86  However, there has been growing concern regarding a surge of HIV and other STIs due to increased conflict and gender-based violence in Haiti.87,88 The tumultuous migration journey that many Haitians undertake from Latin America to the United States is marked with sexual and other forms of violence, which may contribute to increased HIV risk.

There is limited prevalence data for chlamydia and gonorrhea infections in Haiti. One 2020 study of 216 men who have sex with men found rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea of 11.1% and 16.2%, respectively.89 In 2020, the rate of syphilis among pregnant women, a proxy for the general population, was 2.4%.90  Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a concern for Haitian women,91  as the HPV vaccine is not widely accessible in Haiti.92 Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths for Haitian women, and cervical cancer screening rates are low.93

Haiti has the highest tuberculosis (TB) incidence in the Western Hemisphere.94 In 2023, TB incidence in Haiti was 149 per 100,000 population, 49 times the 2023 U.S. rate.95,96 In 2019, the overall TB mortality rate (age-adjusted and per 100,000 population) was 9.2 (7.9 in females and 10.5 in males).97 Approximately 14% to 19% of tuberculosis patients in Haiti have a known positive HIV status.98,99 Drug-resistant TB is a concern in Haiti. One study of patients from five Haitian health centers from 2016 to 2018 found that 2,777 patients were diagnosed with active TB and 2.7% (n=74) were infected with a drug-resistant M. tuberculosis strain. Risk of drug-resistant TB was significantly higher for patients with HIV infections (28.4% vs. 13.7%, adjusted odds ratio 2.6, 95% confidence interval 1.5–4.4, p = 0.001).99 All Haitian new arrivals in the U.S. should be considered high risk and screened for tuberculosis, pursuant with CDC: Tuberculosis (TB) guidance.

Non-communicable diseases

Non-communicable diseases accounted for 64.7% of deaths in Haiti in 2019.100  Ischemic heart disease, stroke, and diabetes mellitus comprised three of the top five causes of death in Haiti in 2021.101 There is a dearth of evidence regarding non-communicable disease prevalence among Haitian immigrants in the U.S., as Haitians are usually demographically grouped with African/Black ethnicities due to current epidemiological practices. However, anecdotal evidence from U.S. clinicians serving Haitian newcomers suggests diabetes mellitus, hypertension, anemia, and sickle cell trait are common. When treating Haitian patients, clinicians should be aware that chronic health conditions may not yet have been diagnosed and obtain a complete history, review of symptoms, and thorough physical examination. 

Mental health outcomes and health care

There is a high prevalence of mental illness among Haitians. Following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, researchers found that Haitians experienced severe PTSD (28%), depression (32%), and anxiety (20%) symptoms.102 2023 focus group data from 28 Haitian participants (20 women and 8 men aged 23 to 60 years) living in either Haiti or the U.S. showed that participants reported experiencing chronic traumatic stress and physical and mental health symptoms such as hypertension, anxiety, depression, PTSD, sleep issues, substance abuse, and suicidal ideations.103

Mental health care in Haiti is almost nonexistent,104,105 and some Haitians prefer to seek treatment from folk practitioners such as vodou priests (hougan) and priestesses (mambo), herbalists (dokte fey), Catholic priests, and protestant pastors.106 Haitian newcomers in the U.S. may have experienced stress and trauma due to exposure to past natural disasters and violence, poverty, harsh migration journeys, and ongoing discrimination, language barriers, limited access to health care and education, and lack of supportive social networks. These experiences result in greater risk for mental illness.107,108,109 However, Haitians continue to face barriers in accessing mental health care in the U.S. and may be less likely to receive adequate mental health care.110,111,112

Cultural beliefs about mental health

Many factors play a role in Haitians’ low utilization of mental health care. Haitians generally prefer to go to family for assistance, and most wait until they are in crisis before seeking professional help.113 Barriers to seeking professional help include family beliefs and traditions, stigma and fear of judgment, spiritual and religious beliefs, magical beliefs,114  low health insurance coverage,115  poverty,116  language barriers, and a lack of mental health providers nationally.117  One cultural belief that influences some Haitians’ health care decisions is that illnesses can be supernaturally induced or caused by strained relationships with God, curses (evil spells), or having offended lwa (a powerful spirit or deity in the Vodou religion).118 This is referred to as maladi moun, a culturally-bound syndrome that means “human caused illness.” Many Haitians with these beliefs seek treatment for mental illness from Vodou priests.119

Expressions of mental health in Haitian culture  

Many Haitians express mental illness somatically. Haitian Creole speakers often use idioms such as tèt (head) and kè (heart) to explain their emotional, cognitive, or psychological problems. Tèt (head) idioms are used to express forgetfulness, poor concentration, worry, and unusual behavior. Kè (heart) idioms are indicative of emotional and physical distress and dysfunction.120 Notably, there is a significant difference between the words depression and depression mentale (mental depression) among Haitians, where depression is seen as general discouragement while depression mentale is equivalent to the clinical diagnosis of major depressive disorder.121 For details on Haitian Creole phrases related to specific symptoms, refer to Idioms of distress, ethnopsychology, and the clinical encounter in Haiti’s Central Plateau by Keys et al. and Development and validation of a Haitian Creole screening instrument for depression by Rasmussen et al.

Recommendations for mental health professionals

Cultural values and beliefs affect mental illness and treatment. Clinicians should promote therapy by educating patients about the therapy process and its potential benefits, as this may be their patient’s first mental health visit. Comparing the role of therapy to that of the extended family in Haiti may be helpful. Developing culturally sensitive treatment plans that are consistent with the patient’s presenting symptoms and values is key in treating Haitian patients. Clinicians are encouraged to explore the role of religion and/or spirituality in coping with stress, trauma, and mental illness. Many Haitians are story and goal-oriented and may benefit from strengths-based interventions such as Solution-Focused Therapy and Narrative Therapy.122,123,124

For depression screening tools translated into Haitian Creole, refer to Brief Overview for Clinicians Caring for Haitian New Arrivals.

Haitian newcomers are more likely to work in service industries than other immigrant groups and the general U.S. population.125 It is recommended that clinicians assess for potential occupational exposures, including chemical exposure (e.g., pesticides and fertilizers), exposure to severe weather (e.g., heatstroke and frostbite), musculoskeletal injuries (e.g., physical strain, repetitive use injuries, and poor ergonomic environments), and zoonotic diseases from working with farm animals (e.g., avian flu). 

Medical screening of Haitian arrivals 

For clinicians providing care to Haitian newcomers, consult CareRef to determine recommended laboratory screenings and other evaluations.

Overseas medical exam

A very small percentage of Haitian arrivals are accepted as refugees overseas and come through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. These individuals may have received an overseas medical exam prior to departure. However, most Haitians will not have received an overseas medical exam, so providers should be prepared to conduct additional screenings. For more information about Panel Physicians and Overseas Medical Exams, refer to the following:

  • CDC: Technical Instructions for Panel Physicians
  • CDC: Overseas Medical Exam Guidance

Domestic medical exam (DME) analysis

In 2025, the Minnesota Center of Excellence in Newcomer Health (MNCOE) completed an analysis of data from five U.S. state refugee health programs. From October 2021 to September 2024, these programs were notified of 2,368 Haitian arrivals eligible for benefits from the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), including Haitians in removal proceedings, with pending asylum applications, or with humanitarian parole. The majority of Haitians arrived during 2023 (N = 1,020) and 2024 (N = 1,047). Forty-six percent of arrivals (N = 1,090) were female and 54% (N = 1,278) were male. Only 15% (N = 353) of arrivals were under 18 years of age, with the majority (N = 1,757) between ages 22 and 49 at the time of U.S. arrival.

Among the 2,368 Haitian arrivals in this analysis, 1,488 (63%) received either a full or partial domestic medical exam (DME), and results were reported to the respective state refugee health program. Ninety-six percent (N = 1,433) of those who received a DME were Haitian Entrants, and 3% (N = 51) arrived as refugees. The remaining 4 arrived as another ORR-benefit eligible status such as a certified victim of human trafficking or asylee. The preferred languages for Haitian arrivals who received a DME were Haitian Creole (92%, N = 1,367), Spanish (3%, N = 42), and French (2%, N = 37). The preferred language was unknown for 2% (N = 28) of arrivals who received a DME. 

Among the 1,488 Haitian arrivals who received a DME, 1,241 (83%) were tested for HIV infection. Thirty-four (3%) arrivals tested positive, most between the ages of 22 and 49 years. HIV confirmatory results were unavailable for most arrivals who tested positive.

Table 1. HIV results by age at DME completion among Haitian arrivals* 
October 2021-September 2024

Age at DME CompletionNumber ScreenedNumber Positive (%)
<181980 (0%)
18+1,00834 (3.3%)
Total (all ages)1,20634 (2.8%)

*N=1,488 total who received a DME. Of these, 263 were <18 years of age at DME completion and 1,215 were ≥18 years of age.

Only three of the five state refugee health programs were able to provide data on Strongyloides serology results. Of the 420 Haitian arrivals tested for Strongyloidiasis via serology, 23 (5%) tested positive.

Table 2. Strongyloides results by age at DME completion among Haitian arrivals* 
October 2021-September 2024

Age at DME CompletionNumber ScreenedNumber Positive (%)
<181256 (4.8%)
18+29517 (5.7%)
Total (all ages)42023 (5.5%)

Determined via Strongyloides serologic testing.
*N=1,488 total who received a DME. Of these, 263 were <18 years of age at DME completion and 1,215 were ≥18 years of age.


Four of the five state refugee health programs provided data on stool ova and parasite (O&P) exam results, as one program opted to presumptively treat Haitian arrivals rather than perform the test. Of the 731 Haitian arrivals who received a stool O&P exam, 38 (5%) had at least one pathogenic parasite found. Information on the type(s) found is not available.

Table 3. Soil-Transmitted Helminths results by age at DME completion among Haitian arrivals* 
October 2021-September 2024

Age at DME CompletionNumber ScreenedNumber Positive (%)
<181044 (3.8%)
18+62734 (5.4%)
Total (all ages)73138 (5.2%)

Determined via stool ova and parasite exam. Those who tested positive had at least one pathogenic parasite identified. Information on the type(s) found is not available.
*N=1,488 total who received a DME. Of these, 263 were <18 years of age at DME completion and 1,215 were ≥18 years of age.

Among the 1,488 Haitian arrivals who received a DME, 1,209 (81%) were screened for mental health concerns. Two-hundred thirty-nine (20%) arrivals received a primary care or specialist referral related to mental health concerns. Two-hundred three (85%) of those who received a referral were between the ages of 22 and 49 years.

Table 4. Mental health results by age at DME completion among Haitian arrivals* 
October 2021-September 2024

Age at DME CompletionNumber ScreenedNumber Positive (%)
<188810 (11.4%)
18+1,121229 (20.4%)
Total (all ages)1,209239 (19.8%)

Screened for mental health using any mental health screening tool. Positive screening is based on referral to primary care or specialist referral related to mental health concern, as final mental health screening outcome was not available for all sites that submitted data.
*N=1,488 total who received a DME. Of these, 263 were <18 years of age at DME completion and 1,215 were ≥18 years of age.

Among the 1,488 Haitian arrivals who received a DME, 1,230 (83%) received an Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) for TB during their DME. Among the Haitian arrivals who were tested, 368 (30%) had a positive IGRA result, with the highest prevalence of IGRA positivity among arrivals 22 years of age and older. Among the 1,160 arrivals who had a complete evaluation for TB, 241 (21%) were diagnosed with latent TB infection, 5 (<1%) with previously treated TB infection or disease, and 48 (4%) with suspect or confirmed TB disease. The remaining 866 (75%) had no TB infection or disease.

Table 5. Tuberculosis results by age at DME completion among Haitian arrivals* 
October 2021-September 2024

Age at DME CompletionNumber ScreenedNumber Positive (%)
<1819312 (6.2%)
18+1,037356 (34.3%)
Total (all ages)1,230368 (29.9%)

Determined based on positive Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA). Among those with a positive IGRA, 241 were diagnosed with latent TB infection, 5 with previously treated TB infection or disease, and 48 with suspect or confirmed TB disease. Final TB diagnoses were not available for the remaining 74 with a positive IGRA.
*N=1,488 total who received a DME. Of these, 263 were <18 years of age at DME completion and 1,215 were ≥18 years of age.

Among the 1,488 Haitian arrivals who received a DME, 1,250 (84%) were tested for hepatitis B infection using hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Thirty-four (3%) arrivals tested positive, none under the age of 15 years. Hepatitis C antibody testing was completed for 1,191 (80%) of arrivals who received a DME. Only 11 (1%) of those tested had hepatitis C antibodies present. Among those 11, Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA was detected for 1 (9%) arrival, indicating an active hepatitis C infection. HCV RNA was not detected for 3 (27%) arrivals, and confirmatory results were unknown for 7 (64%) arrivals.

Table 6. Hepatitis B & C results by age at DME completion among Haitian arrivals* 
October 2021-September 2024

Age at DME CompletionNumber Screened for Hep BNumber Positive for Hep B† (%)Number Screened for Hep CNumber Positive for Hep C§ (%)
<182091 (0.5%)1482 (1.4%)
18+1,04133 (3.2%)1,0439 (0.8%)
Total (all ages)1,25034 (2.7%)1,19111 (0.9%)

†Determined via hepatitis B surface antigen.
§Determined via hepatitis C antibodies. Among the 11 with hepatitis C antibodies present, Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA was detected for 1 (9%) arrival, indicating an active hepatitis C infection. HCV RNA was not detected for 3 (27%) arrivals, and confirmatory results were unknown for 7 (64%) arrivals.
*N=1,488 total who received a DME. Of these, 263 were <18 years of age at DME completion and 1,215 were ≥18 years of age.


  1. https://webarchive.archive.unhcr.org/20230518081200/https:/www.refworld.org/docid/4954ce1ac.html
  2. https://www.britannica.com/place/Haiti/The-Haitian-Revolution
  3. https://apnews.com/article/france-haiti-debt-independence-injustice-339df651093e932d42d607fd3f08025f
  4. https://www.britannica.com/place/Haiti/The-Haitian-Revolution
  5. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1914-1920/haiti
  6. https://www.britannica.com/place/Haiti/The-Haitian-Revolution
  7. https://www.britannica.com/place/Haiti
  8. https://www.census.gov/popclock/world/ha
  9. https://www.britannica.com/place/Haiti
  10. https://www.britannica.com/place/Haiti
  11. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijsl.1993.102.73
  12. https://doi.org/10.1075/jpcl.27.2.03heb
  13. https://www.unicef.org/lac/en/press-releases/increase-in-violence-and-resurgence-cholera-in-haiti-may-leave-more-2.4-million-children-unable-to-return-to-school
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Last Updated: 11/17/2025

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