Mortality Rate and Causes of Death Among Refugees Resettled in Washington State, 2006–2016

Abstract

Cause of death among refugees resettled in the United States is not well documented. This evaluation determined cause of death among refugees who resettled to and died in Washington State. Records of refugees who arrived in Washington State from 2006 to 2016 were linked to state death records for the same period. Rates and proportions of death were calculated and compared to those for all Washingtonians. From 2006 to 2016, 171 of 30,243 refugees (0.6%) resettled to and died in Washington. The age-adjusted all-cause mortality rate was 3.93 (95% CI 3.12–4.75) per 1000 refugees, compared to 6.98 (95% CI 6.96–7.00) per 1000 Washingtonians. Malignant neoplasms and heart disease were the leading causes of death for both refugees and Washingtonians. Determining cause of death among refugee populations can identify emerging trends in mortality. This information can be used to help inform disease and injury prevention interventions for refugee communities.