National Symposium on Immigrant Health in Canada

Abstract

Ethnicity and migration are recognized as factors that determine health due to biological, cultural, social, and lifestyle factors. [1][2][3] The most recent census results show that the ethnocultural profile of Canada is increasingly diverse. In 2001, approximately 5.4 million Canadians, or 18.4% of the total population, were born outside of the country, an increase from 17.4% in 1996. This proportion is higher than most other countries worldwide, with the exception of Australia where, in 2001, about 22% of the total population was foreign-born. In the United States, immigrants represent about 11% of the total population. 4 Immigrants represent a very diverse population in terms of ethnicity, cultural and sociodemographic characteristics. Immigrants to Canada come from all parts of the world, although a large proportion of more recent immigrants come from Asia and the Middle East in the last decade (58% in 1991-2001). 4,5 Knowledge of the unique patterns of health and health care needs of immigrants is currently somewhat limited in Canada. Considering the very diverse ethnocultural profile of the Canadian population, as well as the size of the immigrant population, national consensus is needed on current knowledge and research priorities with respect to determinants of health, health status, and health services utilization among immigrants in Canada. These efforts would help develop more targeted policies and programs aimed at reducing existing health disparities.

Immigrant Health and the Children and Youth of Canada: Are We Doing Enough?

“…However, the combination of observed differences and changing socio-political realities ushered in a new immigrant construct that has been termed the healthy immigrant paradigm (Beiser 2005) or healthy migrant effect (Chen et al 1996;Kinnon 1999;Perez 2002). Researchers in both Canada and the United States have suggested that, overall, immigrants -particularly those in their new country less than 10 years -generally have lower rates of chronic diseases and mortality (excluding certain infectious diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and tuberculosis) than their native-born counterparts (DesMeules et al 2004(DesMeules et al , 2005Gold et al 2004;Hyman 2000;Parakulam et al 1992;Sharma et al 1990;Singh and Siahpush 2001). These same researchers acknowledge that it remains unclear whether these findings are due to genetic predispositions, a practice of positive health behaviours, a requirement to be deemed or screened as "healthy" to migrate in the first place or some other factors not being taken into account.…”

Littératie en matière de santé dans la réalité des immigrants, sur le plan de la culture et de la langue

“…Factors such as language and cultural barriers, traditional beliefs and practices, discrimination, and perceptions of shame that might contribute to the problem of access, have not been studied among newcomers in Canada. 4,28,[31][32][33][34][35] Overall, knowledge of the unique patterns of health status, health care needs, access to health, and barriers to health service use of immigrant populations is limited in Canada. 34,36 Chief among these less well understood barriers are levels of basic literacy and health literacy in newcomer communities with diverse ethnocultural backgrounds.…”

“…4,28,[31][32][33][34][35] Overall, knowledge of the unique patterns of health status, health care needs, access to health, and barriers to health service use of immigrant populations is limited in Canada. 34,36 Chief among these less well understood barriers are levels of basic literacy and health literacy in newcomer communities with diverse ethnocultural backgrounds. 15,25 As a result, there appears to be a crucial gap in research-based knowledge regarding access to and use of health services from the point-of-view of disadvantaged subpopulations in Canada.…”

“…Evidence from the literature shows that upon arriving in Canada, newcomers are generally as healthy as or healthier than Canadian-born individuals. 31,34 However, their health status may deteriorate in the years following immigration. 36 Their overall health picture reflects important health disparities that exist among poor and more vulnerable populations.…”

“…36 Their overall health picture reflects important health disparities that exist among poor and more vulnerable populations. 34,36 As a result of language and cultural barriers, as well as a lack of information about and experience with their new health care system, 5,12,37 the health of newcomers declines over time. This is because of relative underuse of preventive health screening and underdiagnosis and treatment of health problems.…”