Refugees are much more likely to die from drowning compared to Australians who have grown up learning to swim.
Health outcomes, service use and causes of death for refugees who arrived in Australia between 2000 and 2020 have been investigated in a new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
"The experiences of refugees and humanitarian entrants prior to their arrival in Australia can have a significant impact on their health outcomes," the institute's Vanessa D'Souza said.
"Refugees and humanitarian entrants face unique challenges that heighten their risk for some causes of death compared to the rest of the Australian population in their new country of settlement."
Between 2007 and 2020, the mortality rate for accidental drowning was 2.4 times higher for refugees than the broader population.
The death rate was 1.5 times higher for liver cancer.
Rates of antidepressant prescriptions and GP mental health management plans were far lower for humanitarian entrants, with refugee women more likely than men to report on both markers.
This trend is similar to the broader population.
About nine in 10 refugees had a GP consultation in 2021, with almost all of the sessions bulk-billed.
Those who arrived within the last five years had a slightly higher rate of GP attendances than those who arrived more than 10 years ago.
The institute examined in detail the experience of Afghan refugees.
Afghanistan has consistently been among the top countries of origin for Australian humanitarian visas over the last five years.
Arthritis was three times more common among Afghan women than men, with higher rates of mental health conditions also recorded.
This psychological distress was caused by a range of factors including discrimination under the Taliban, social isolation and a perceived lack of community in Australia.
Regardless of their country of origin, refugees were far less likely than the broader population to self-report asthma, cancer, chronic lung disease or mental health conditions.
However, refugees were much more likely to report diabetes, kidney disease, stroke and dementia.
The institute will next explore data on hospitalisations and the use of specialist homelessness services by refugees.
