Fact Sheet: Hygiene in the United States (PDF)

This factsheet from CORE explains U.S. hygiene expectations for newcomers—covering personal care, home cleanliness, laundry, and respecting public spaces. With checklists and safety tips, it helps families understand what’s expected in housing, health, and community settings. Available in 10 languages (including Dari, Pashto, Arabic, and Spanish), it’s ideal for providers supporting new arrivals in understanding U.S. norms. Use in orientations, workshops, or follow-up home visits.

International Refugee & Migration Health Conference

About this resource

The Society of Refugee Healthcare Providers' resource page offers valuable tools and information for improving refugee and immigrant health, like this one. Help us expand it by submitting resources not already listed to support our community.

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This downloadable Hygiene in the United States factsheet helps refugee and immigrant families understand how hygiene expectations in the U.S. impact health, housing, and community life. It outlines the basics of personal care, keeping homes clean, and respecting public spaces—offering both cultural context and practical checklists. Providers can use it to support orientation, housing stability, and successful community integration.

Ready for Many Audiences

  • Available in 10 languages: Dari, English, Pashto, Arabic, Burmese, Kinyarwanda, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, and Ukrainian
  • Visual, bulleted tips make it easy to scan and share
  • Covers daily routines and legal expectations in plain language
  • Designed for resettlement use, with clear authority and alignment to housing and public health norms

How Providers Can Use It

  • Include in orientation packets for new arrivals
  • Use during health, housing, or job readiness sessions to reinforce hygiene-related expectations
  • Translate expectations into action with clear guidance that supports both dignity and lease compliance

Encouraging Healthy Habits & Belonging

This factsheet goes beyond cleanliness—it connects hygiene to health, employment, and social trust. By teaching everyday habits that help newcomers feel confident and included, it also helps landlords, schools, and employers see those families as strong community members.