Refugees began arriving in Fresno County in 1980. In 1983, the Fresno County Health Services Agency began receiving state funding to provide an initial health screening to rule out communicable disease in new arrivals. At that time the Refugee Services program was started. Subsequently, all newly arrived refugees have received health screening, referral and outreach services.
Refugee Health screening services are provided within the Health Screening and Prevention Program (HSPP). Services include: - Health history
- Physical examination
- Diagnostic testing
- Immunizations
Referrals and follow-ups are used in order to achieve early diagnosis and intervention for health complaints and communicable diseases. Patients are then referred to a family doctor for follow-up treatment or to a specialist for appropriate care. Refugees are provided outreach services by bilingual staff and/or qualified interpreters in order to ensure compliance with appointments and follow-up treatment. | 
