As political personalities begin spewing the wrong information, then there comes a health issue, brought on by an influx of Haitian immigrants to the Springfield, Ohio district.
While doing this, local leaders play down the real issue that is the health of the resiliency of the community and just how teamwork brings these demands together.
A town of approximately 58,000, Springfield, Ohio, received national attention over unfounded rumors surrounding the Haitian immigrant population that’s been growing in the area.
Political figures, for example, Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance, contended that the number of infectious diseases was skyrocketing because of the migrant population. The row started when local officials quickly responded to dispute this assertion.
The health commissioner for Clark County, Chris Cook, set the record straight: “While some illnesses, such as HIV and tuberculosis, have increased marginally, infectious diseases overall have declined.” “I wouldn’t call it skyrocketing,” he added, pointing out how the political narrative misrepresents the facts.
The influx of Haitian immigrants has been a disadvantage to Springfield’s health systems, but it also opened an opportunity for collaboration.
Since most of the immigrants do not know much about the U.S. healthcare system and what they are supposed to know about basic health care, local health facilities and groups gain in the process.
To better communicate, facilities such as Rocking Horse Community Health Center have expanded services and employed interpreters who speak Haitian Creole, which are often reported to have tripled the length of the patients’ appointments.
Though the groups may pose health risks, the Haiti community’s coming into town has furnished the town’s economy with much-needed labor.
Governor of Ohio Mike DeWine promised to back neighborhood health clinics. But he was sure to remind that such misinformation should not drown out the good the immigrants do.
