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Recent Research on Immigrant Health from Statistics Canada’s Population Surveys

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Abstract

This paper reviews recent research using Statistics Canada data to compare immigrant health with that of the Canadian-born. A number of Statistics Canada studies have been used for such comparisons, including the National Population Health Survey and the Canadian Community Health Survey.

Across the range of indicators studied, compared to the Canadian-born, immigrants are generally in as good or better health, have similar or better health behaviours, and similar or less frequent health service use (the “healthy immigrant effect”). These indications appear to be strongest among recent and non-European immigrants.

These studies have established baseline patterns and identified that important distinctions exist among immigrant subgroups. Future research on more detailed subgroups that uses longitudinal data and cross-culturally validated instruments is needed.

Résumé

L’article examine des études récentes fondées sur les données de Statistique Canada afin de comparer la santé des immigrants à celle de la population née au Canada. p Pour ces comparaisons, on a utilisé plusieurs études de Statistique Canada, notamment l’Enquête nationale sur la santé de la population et l’Enquête sur la santé dans les collectivités canadiennes.

Pour toute la gamme des indicateurs employés, par comparaison avec la population née au Canada, les immigrants sont en général en meilleure santé, leurs habitudes de santé sont supérieures ou égales, et la fréquence à laquelle ils ont recours aux services de santé est inférieure ou égale (on appelle cela « l’effet de l’immigrant en bonne santé »). Ces indications se manifestent très fortement chez les nouveaux arrivants et chez les immigrants de souche non européenne.

Les études en question établissent des tendances de base et montrent l’existence de distinctions importantes entre les sous-groupes d’immigrants. Il faudrait pousser la recherche sur ces sousgroupes en utilisant des données longitudinales et des instruments adaptés aux différences culturelles.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Population Survey Program, Health Statistics Division, Room 2600, Main Building, Tunney’s Pasture, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0T6, Canada

    Jennifer S. Ali PhD (Social Science Researcher) & Ronald G. Gravel MA

  2. Population Health Assessment Section, Surveillance Risk Assessment Division, Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Sarah McDermott MHSc (Analyst)

Authors
  1. Jennifer S. Ali PhD
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  2. Sarah McDermott MHSc
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  3. Ronald G. Gravel MA
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ronald G. Gravel MA.

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Ali, J.S., McDermott, S. & Gravel, R.G. Recent Research on Immigrant Health from Statistics Canada’s Population Surveys. Can J Public Health 95, I9–I13 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403659

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403659

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