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International Journal of Public Health

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01-03-2015 | Original Article

Health literacy and disability: differences between generations of Canadian immigrants

Authors: D. Walter Rasugu Omariba, Edward Ng

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 3/2015

Abstract

Objectives

To determine whether there are differences in disability by immigrant generation and region of origin and recency of arrival in Canada, and the role of health literacy in this relationship.

Methods

A secondary analysis of the Canadian component of the 2003 International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey (IALSS) was undertaken.

Results

Compared to the third-plus generation, first-generation immigrants were less likely to report disability; these differences remained even after adjustment for sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors. No differences in disability were observed between the second- and third-plus generations. Among first-generation immigrants, those not from Europe or USA were less likely to report disability regardless of their duration in Canada. Health literacy was negatively associated with disability only in the analysis comparing generations of Canadians. However, its effect was largely accounted for by education, employment status and income.

Conclusions

First-generation immigrants were less likely to be disabled than the other generations. Education, employment and income provide important avenues through which individuals develop health literacy. Health literacy was not associated with disability among first-generation immigrants perhaps because health literacy is low in this group.

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Title: Health literacy and disability: differences between generations of Canadian immigrants
Authors: D. Walter Rasugu Omariba
Edward Ng
Publication date: 01-03-2015
Publisher: Springer Basel
Published in: International Journal of Public Health / Issue 3/2015
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-014-0640-0

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Health literacy and disability: differences between generations of Canadian immigrants

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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