Social Science & Medicine
Volume 57, Issue 10 , November 2003, Pages 1981-1995

 Health status and Canada's immigrant population
K. Bruce Newbold, , a and Jeff Danforthb

a School of Geography and Geology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.,
Canada L8S 4K1
b Economic Studies and Policy Analysis Division (ESPAD), Ottawa, Ont.,
Canada

Abstract
Given the framework of the 1984 Canada Health Act, the health status of
immigrants should be similar to average levels within whole of Canada. Yet,
assuming equality of health status between immigrant and non-immigrants, or
between immigrant groups is likely an unrealistic and simplistic
assumption, given unseen barriers affecting accessibility, the
restructuring of the Canadian health care system, and problems with the
provision of health care resources to the immigrant population. Using the
National Population Health Survey, this paper focuses upon the health
status of the immigrant population relative to that of non-immigrants
within Canada, with reference to diagnosed conditions, self-assessed
health, and the Health Utilities Index Mark 3. Findings indicate that, with
the exception of the most recent arrivals, immigrants experience worse
health status across most dimensions relative to non-immigrants.
Multivariate analysis reveals that age, income adequacy, gender, and home
ownership are dimensions upon which health status differs between the two
groups.

Author Keywords: Immigrant health; Canada; Determinants of health; Health
status


Corresponding author. Fax: +1-905-546-0463

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