Afghan Women's Health
On October 16th, the University at Buffalo (UB)-led initiative Community Health Speaks hosted an important event on Afghan Women's Health, with a special focus on preventive care for women in the Afghan refugee community. This event, held at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (JSMBS), was organized and moderated by Parveen Attai, a second-year medical student at JSMBS who is herself of Afghan descent. Attai's personal connection to the community, combined with her ongoing advocacy for public health, played a pivotal role in the success of the event.
This gathering was particularly significant as it addressed the pressing health needs of Afghan refugees, many of whom have resettled in the Western New York region over the last few years. These individuals face considerable challenges, including delayed asylum processing, which limits their ability to access essential services and employment. Health care, in particular, presents a unique set of challenges, compounded by language barriers and cultural differences that often hinder effective communication between patients and providers.
In preparation for the event, Attai and her team took a community-centered approach, engaging Afghan women in advance to understand their specific concerns. It quickly became clear that practical issues like transportation, childcare, and translation services were critical to ensuring their participation. To address these challenges, the organizers arranged for transportation, provided interactive childcare, and ensured translation services, which were carried out by Salima Panahzada, a community member who is certified in translating and interpreting in Dari and Pashto. Additionally, recognizing the importance of cultural comfort, the organizers created a supportive environment by serving dinner from a local halal restaurant and ensuring that the event was women-centered.
Dr. Abeer A. Eddib, an OBGYN and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Urology, led the lecture. Her role as a Muslim woman further contributed to the participants' comfort, creating an atmosphere of trust and openness. The lecture covered a range of topics essential to women's health, including preventive care and managing common health concerns. A particularly engaging part of the event was the Q&A session that followed the lecture, during which Afghan women freely asked questions in a safe and supportive space.
To further reinforce the health information presented, the event concluded with a Kahoot game, a fun and interactive way to assess participants' retention of the material. Prizes were awarded to the top three participants, and the high level of engagement reflected the success of the event in distilling important health information in a way that resonated with the attendees. The women in attendance expressed interest in learning more about other topics, particularly mental health and medication management, highlighting the ongoing need for community-driven health education.
The event was co-sponsored by several UB entities, including the Office of Inclusive Excellence, the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement in the School of Public Health and Health Professions, and the Office of Student Development and Academic Enhancement at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Additionally, representatives from the Erie County Office of Health Equity and RAHAMA, a Muslim-led nonprofit organization, also participated, in a collaborative effort to support the Afghan refugee community.
The event served as a critical platform for addressing the health disparities faced by Afghan women refugees, who continue to grapple with significant barriers to accessing healthcare. By tailoring the program to meet the specific needs of these women, the event provided vital health information in a culturally sensitive manner, highlighting the importance of community engagement.
Photos courtesy of Sandra Kicman