The Washington State Department of Health welcomes all new Afghan community members to our great state of Washington. We stand in solidarity and partnership with the community partners working tirelessly to support newly arriving individuals and families. We're committed to identifying all of the ways we can help provide a healthy and safe future for our newest community members.
From 2022 to 2023, more than 15,000 newcomers have resettled in Washington's local communities (including Afghans and Ukrainians). More information on welcoming Afghans to Washington is available from the DSHS Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance, including posters welcoming our Afghan neighbors.
The information below includes fact sheets, Webinars, videos and other health resources to support new arrivals from Afghanistan.
Fact Sheets, Webinars and Helpful Information
- State Agencies
- Community Resources
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- Afghan Health Initiative https://afghanhealth.org/
- Afghan American Cultural Association https://www.aaca-wa.org
- Diocese of Olympia https://www.dioceserroseattle.org/
- International Rescue Committee https://www.rescue.org/united-states/seattle-wa
- Jewish Family Service https://www.jfsseattle.org/
- Kits For Peace / Essentials First https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/csd-office-refugee-and-immigration-assistance/welcoming-afghans-washington-state
- Lutheran Community Services Northwest https://lcsnw.org/
- MAPS – AMEN https://mapsredmond.org/amen/
- MAPS – Muslim Community Resource Center https://mapsredmond.org/mcrc/
- Refugee and Immigrant Services Northwest https://risnw.org/
- Refugee Women's Alliance https://www.rewa.org/
- SCM Medical Missions https://www.scmmedicalmissions.org/
- World Relief Seattle https://worldrelief.org/seattle/
- World Relief Spokane https://worldrelief.org/spokane/
- World Relief Tri-cities https://worldrelief.org/tricities/
- Afghan Culture and Health
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- Webinar: Afghan Culture and Health Screening Considerations (Center for Excellence in Newcomer Health, including Washington State panelist)
- Webinar: Best Practices for COVID-19 Prevention and Mitigation Among Afghan Communities (NRC-RIM with Washington State panelists)
- Afghan Backgrounder (Cultural Orientation Resource Exchange)
- Newcomer Information
- Behavioral Health
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- Webinar: Psychological First Aid (PFA) to Support Clients Affected by the Crisis in Afghanistan (Switchboard)
- Blog: Supporting Clients and Staff Affected by the Crisis in Afghanistan (Switchboard)
- Benefits Eligibility
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- Apple Health Eligibility for Individuals from Afghanistan (Washington State Health Care Authority)
- Information regarding federal and state programs available within Washington state to help support new arrivals from Afghanistan (Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance)
- New arrivals from Afghanistan are eligible for a health screening examination. Please contact the local health screening clinic to schedule an appointment.
- Health Outcomes
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- Infographic New Arrival Health Overview – Afghanistan (Center for Excellence in Newcomer Health)
- Afghan Health Profile and Screening Guidance: Adults (PDF) | Pediatrics (PDF)
- Federal Fact Sheets
Health Promotion and Education
- Lead
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- Does Your Child Need a Lead Test? (PDF) | Dari (PDF)
- My Child's Lead Test Result (PDF) | Farsi (PDF)
- Prevent Lead Poisoning (PDF) | Pashto (PDF)
- Pregnancy and Lead (PDF) | Dari (PDF)
- Child Lead Poisoning Prevention Dari (video) | Farsi (video)
- Afghan Health Initiative – Lead Prevention Program and videos
- Additional resources: Lead Publications: Washington State Department of Health
- Measles
- Polio
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- CDC: Report your polio symptoms English, Dari, and Pashto (PDF)
- Tuberculosis
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- Tuberculosis: General Information (CDC) (PDF) | Dari (PDF) | Pashto (PDF)
- Questions & Answers About Tuberculosis Booklet (CDC) (PDF) | Dari (PDF) | Pashto (PDF)
- Requirements, Services & TB Patient Education Materials for New Afghan Arrivals (NTCA) (PDF)
- Cultural Quick Reference Guide for Afghanistan (SNTC) (PDF)
- Tuberculosis Patient Education (SNTC) (PDF) | Dari (PDF) | Pashto (PDF)
- What you Need to Know About Tuberculosis Flipbook (HNTC) (PDF) | Dari (PDF) | Pashto (PDF)
- What you Need to Know about 3HP LTBI Treatment (CDC) (PDF) | Dari (PDF) | Pashto (PDF)
- Vaccine Information Statements (VIS)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Nutrition Program
COVID-19 Resources
- COVID-19 Engagement and Information
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- COVID-19 website | Pashto | Farsi
- NRC-RIM Welcome Video Describing Current COVID-19 Situation in US | Dari (video) | Pashto (video)
- NRC-RIM COVID-19 Communication Resources for Afghan New Arrivals
- Care Connect Washington | Pashto | Farsi - for people who test positive for COVID-19 or have been exposed and need support to isolate or quarantine at home.
- COVID-19 Resources and Recommendations | Dari | Farsi
- COVID-19 Free Home Test Kits
- Handwashing
- Masking
- Vaccine Clinic Locator
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- Find a location with the COVID-19 vaccine near you - Use upper right icon for other languages
Information for Healthcare Providers
- Immunization Information and Cultural Training
Contact Us
Washington State Department of Health
Communicable Disease Epidemiology – Refugee and Immigrant Health Program
1610 NE 150th Street, MS: K17-9
Shoreline, WA 98155
(206) 418-5500 Phone
(206) 418-5515 Fax
refugeehealthprogram@doh.wa.gov