Simmelink, JenniferLightfoot, ElizabethDube, AmanoBlevins, JenniferY Lum, Terry2015-04-262015-04-262013-03*Simmelink, J., Lightfoot, E., Dube, A., *Blevins, J. & Lum, T. (2013). Understanding the health beliefs and practices of East African refugees.. American Journal of Health Behavior, 37(2), 155-161.https://hdl.handle.net/11299/171769Objectives: This study explores East African refugees’ perceptions, ideas and beliefs about health and health care, as well as the ways in which health information is shared within their communities. Methods: This study consisted of two focus groups with a total of 15 participants, including East African community leaders and health professionals. Results: East African refugees in the US have strong cultural, religious and traditional health practices that shape their health behavior and influence their interactions with Western health care systems. Conclusions: Health care providers who understand refugees’ beliefs about health may achieve more compliance with refugee patients.enEast African refugeesHealth benefitsHealth behaviorHealth educationArticle10.5993/AJHB.37.2.2