#RefugeesAndImmigrants
#Research
#HealthEquity

The Refugee Review Board is more than an advisory board; they are a trained group of co-researchers with capacity to partner equally on research and quality improvement projects that seek to advance health equity for people who have experienced force migration, been a refugee, or are seeking asylum.  While they are able to advise in some cases, the intention is for the board to lead in addressing health equity issues for refugee communities in North America. 

How long has it existed? 18 Months

How are diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism exemplified in this work?
The Refugee Review Board was originally created as an effort to ensure the inclusion of the voices of people who had lived experience as a refugee in research and clinical improvement projects focused on refugee health. Equal inclusion of these voices, not just as advisors but as partners and co-creators in this work ensures that there is diversity of experience and thought, a focus on advancing health equity for refugees and and anti-racist lens for work with refugee communities.  These values have been enshrined in the mission and vision of the board and are on step  (of many!) for the Society of Refugee Healthcare Providers toward centering refugee voices in the work of refugee healthcare. 

How can people support or get involved?
If you have projects that could benefit from advice or partnership with trained advocates with lived experiences as refugees, this group could be an excellent fit.  The Refugee Review Board will offer one-time consultations with researchers. For longer term engagements, the RRB is open to discussing partnerships on funded grants or co-creating research and clinical improvement projects. 

We are also working to find gap funding to support the Refugee Review Board members as the PCORI funding comes to an end.  The RRB is partnering on some grant proposals that will compensate members' time, but these are unlikely to come through before the contract ends.  The RRB would be open to short-term funding opportunities, partnerships advising on projects, or in co-creating projects with researchers within their priority areas for refugee health (including but not limited to mental health, cultural humility/competence in healthcare, increasing access to healthcare, reducing language barriers in care). 

https://www.pcori.org/research-results/2022/enhancing-capacity-resettled-refugee-researchers-encore

#Women
#SocialHealthScientest
#Faculty

Sarah Brewer, she/her/hers, Assistant Professor

What is a quirky fun fact about yourself? I safety pin my socks together in the laundry so I don't have to find their matches. I haven't lost a sock in years.

sarah.brewer@cuanschutz.edu