The Refugee Paradox: New Americans Lead the Way to Better Health

By Megan Burks

Last year, local resettlement workers assisted more than 5,000 new arrivals to San Diego. Most of them ended up in City Heights, where refugee groups have already carved out niches under the guiding hands of local nonprofits.

Their needs upon arrival are vast–money to buy food, English-language instruction, guidance on signing their kids up for school, even help catching the bus.

This hard transition into American life is compelling. It’s what reporters, politicians and grant-makers see when they turn their gaze to City Heights. But if you look long enough, the picture starts to change.

Despite their struggles, refugees are the ones with lessons to teach and are leading the way to a better life in City Heights.

While refugees carried few tangible items with them, they did bring strong connections to the land, healthy eating habits and sound family traditions. These foundations have changed the food landscape in City Heights and are setting the example for longtime residents to eat healthier.

Do you cook or eat the recipes of your heritage? Click here to tell us.

We’ll take a look at this paradox in a three-part series starting Tuesday. We’ll introduce you to a US-born mom struggling to change her diet, then take you into the home of a Somali family keeping up with traditional food habits to stay healthy. We’ll end with a look into a cooking class that bridges this cultural food gap by helping refugee moms share cooking techniques with their American daughters.

Find our coverage here, on KPBS Evening Edition (6:30 p.m. weekdays on cable channel 11) and in the San Diego Union-Tribune.

You can also join us as we dive deeper into “The Refugee Paradox” at a free community forum and multimedia presentation 4 p.m. Nov. 12 at the City Heights Wellness Center. Space is limited, so please RSVP.