The significant health statistics reveal that intestinal parasites and tuberculosis are major personal health problems for the Indo-Chinese refugees. Other health problems are also discussed and put in perspective in the report. The health culture of the Vietnamese as described by informants who have migrated from their homeland is explored. Also, Vietnamese approaches to ill health as well as treatment protocols unique to this cultural group are documented.

The conclusions are twofold. First, emphasis on health screening should shift from identifying only infectious disease to a concern for the total health status of these people. Health assessment should include checks for general poor health fro~ genetic predisposition for disease, susceptibility to endemic diseases of Asia, and follow-up studies to assess adverse effects of drugs used in prevention and treatment of illnesses. Second, it should be recognized that the Southeast Asian refugees are a composite of Cambodian, Laotian, Vietnamese and Ethnic Chinese and that each of these cultures have their own approaches to health and disease that differ from orthodox western medical practices. Other recommendations are presented that will assist the medical community in effectively treating refugee health problems as the group becomes integrated into American culture.