Abstract
Since 2023, the number of migrant deaths directly related to unsafe living conditions in New York City has doubled. Over the past two years alone, the number of individuals seeking asylum within New York City alone has skyrocketed. Many underserved and/or unhoused asylum seekers fail to pursue medical care, even in dire circumstances, due to fear of retaliation and/or harm from unauthorized and destructive organizations. "Open Doors" is an action plan introduced by nursing leaders Victoria Averill and Amy Staley in an effort to open more doors to safe medical care for both underserved and/or unhoused asylum seekers throughout the New York City area.
The action plan encompasses a resource tool kit to assist underserved and/or unhoused asylum seekers in need of safe and equitable access to medical care. The tool will be provided to individuals through community outreach and will include valuable information on how to access care. It will also include information on the rights that one has as a patient in New York City. The tool will include a list of hospitals and/or clinics where one can seek medical attention, nearby food banks, shelters, how to access an interpreter, and a bill of rights for reference. These tool kits will be made available in several languages that are most commonly utilized by these unique populations in New York City.
Additionally, a list of safe organizations where one may seek guidance or help without judgment will be provided within the toolkit. A few key partnerships for this project will include the International Rescue Committee, the New York City government, RIF Asylum Support, and local Sigma Nursing chapters. Sigma nursing partners will be encouraged to join in this initiative which specifically targets United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3, 10, 16, and 17. These specific goals support the initiatives of good health and well-being, reduced inequities, peace, justice, and strong institutions, and partnerships for the goals.
One's country of birth should not determine whether they have safe and equitable access to care. Nurses Victoria Averill and Amy Staley are committed to amplifying the voices of nurses at the forefront of this cause. Through this project, the two will open new doors for those seeking care as they work towards strengthening partnerships in a city that everyone is deserving of calling their "Home".
Sigma Membership
Alpha Zeta
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Descriptive/Correlational
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Migrants, Healthcare, Reducing Disparities, Underserved, Unhoused
Recommended Citation
Staley, Amy and Averill, Victoria, "Open Doors: Improving access to medical care for underserved and/or unhoused asylum seekers" (2024). Global Advocacy. 4.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/ga/2024/presentations/4
Conference Name
Sigma Virtual Mini Academy: Global Advocacy
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Virtual Event
Conference Year
2024
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Rights Holder
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Review Type
Faculty/Mentor Approved: Sigma Academy Participant Presentation
Acquisition
Self-submission
Open Doors: Improving access to medical care for underserved and/or unhoused asylum seekers
Virtual Event
Since 2023, the number of migrant deaths directly related to unsafe living conditions in New York City has doubled. Over the past two years alone, the number of individuals seeking asylum within New York City alone has skyrocketed. Many underserved and/or unhoused asylum seekers fail to pursue medical care, even in dire circumstances, due to fear of retaliation and/or harm from unauthorized and destructive organizations. "Open Doors" is an action plan introduced by nursing leaders Victoria Averill and Amy Staley in an effort to open more doors to safe medical care for both underserved and/or unhoused asylum seekers throughout the New York City area.
The action plan encompasses a resource tool kit to assist underserved and/or unhoused asylum seekers in need of safe and equitable access to medical care. The tool will be provided to individuals through community outreach and will include valuable information on how to access care. It will also include information on the rights that one has as a patient in New York City. The tool will include a list of hospitals and/or clinics where one can seek medical attention, nearby food banks, shelters, how to access an interpreter, and a bill of rights for reference. These tool kits will be made available in several languages that are most commonly utilized by these unique populations in New York City.
Additionally, a list of safe organizations where one may seek guidance or help without judgment will be provided within the toolkit. A few key partnerships for this project will include the International Rescue Committee, the New York City government, RIF Asylum Support, and local Sigma Nursing chapters. Sigma nursing partners will be encouraged to join in this initiative which specifically targets United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3, 10, 16, and 17. These specific goals support the initiatives of good health and well-being, reduced inequities, peace, justice, and strong institutions, and partnerships for the goals.
One's country of birth should not determine whether they have safe and equitable access to care. Nurses Victoria Averill and Amy Staley are committed to amplifying the voices of nurses at the forefront of this cause. Through this project, the two will open new doors for those seeking care as they work towards strengthening partnerships in a city that everyone is deserving of calling their "Home".
Description
The authors were academy scholars in the Sigma Virtual Mini Academy: Global Advocacy.