There are 25.8 million immigrants-the largest number in more than five decades-living in the United States. These men, women, and children represent nearly 10 percent of this country's population. These immigrants, the majority of whom are women from Asia, Central America, and Eastern Europe, have a vital need for health and mental health services but often encounter cultural, linguistic, and economic barriers in their efforts to access care. Immigrant Women's Health offers doctors, nurses, and administrators the knowledge and tools needed to meet the challenge and provide quality care for one of this nation's most vulnerable patient populations-immigrant women. This valuable book provides insight into the knowledge, attitudes, health beliefs, health care practices, and health care seeking behaviors of immigrant women and offers a unique perspective on the health and mental health care problems they experience. The contributors include many of the leading clinicians and administrators in the field of immigrant health who offer valuable information and practical strategies for providing culturally-competent, high-quality, cost-effective care to migrant women from diverse cultures. Health care planners, policy makers, and administrators who seek a clear understanding of the issues surrounding health services utilization by immigrants and the devastating effects of recent changes to federal policies will find this book a vital and practical reference. Immigrant Women's Health summarizes the best practices in program development and addresses a wealth of compelling topics includingReproductive health issues unique to foreign-born womenChronic diseases and changes in disease patterns by generation of residence in the United StatesPsychological implications of sexual violence, rape, and warEffective programs that address linguistic barriers to obtaining optimal health care; treatment of post-traumatic stress dis... Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. A