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Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health

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01-10-2014 | Original Paper

Disparities in Lifestyle Habits and Health Related Factors of Montreal Immigrants: Is Immigration an Important Exposure Variable in Public Health?

Authors: Garbis A. Meshefedjian, Viviane Leaune, Marie-Ève Simoneau, Mylène Drouin

Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health | Issue 5/2014

Abstract

Study disparities in lifestyle habits and health characteristics of Canadian born population and immigrants with different duration of residence. Data are extracted from 2009 to 2010 public use micro-data files of Canadian Community Health Survey representing about 1.5 million people. Sixty-one percent of the study sample was born in Canada; 49 % males and 59 % below age 50. Amongst lifestyle habits, recent immigrants were less likely to be regular smokers, RR (95 % CI) 0.56 (0.36–0.88) and frequent consumers of alcohol 0.49 (0.27–0.89), but more likely to consume less fruits and vegetables 1.26 (1.04–1.53) than those born in Canada. Amongst health related factors, recent immigrants were less likely to be overweight 0.79 (0.62–0.99) and suffer from chronic diseases 0.59 (0.44–0.80), but more likely to have limited access to family medicine 1.24 (1.04–1.47) than Canada-born population. Immigration status is an important population characteristic which influenced distribution of health indicators. Prevention and promotion strategies should consider immigration status as an exposure variable in the development and implementation of public health programs.

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Title: Disparities in Lifestyle Habits and Health Related Factors of Montreal Immigrants: Is Immigration an Important Exposure Variable in Public Health?
Authors: Garbis A. Meshefedjian
Viviane Leaune
Marie-Ève Simoneau
Mylène Drouin
Publication date: 01-10-2014
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health / Issue 5/2014
Print ISSN: 1557-1912
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1920
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-013-9839-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

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Disparities in Lifestyle Habits and Health Related Factors of Montreal Immigrants: Is Immigration an Important Exposure Variable in Public Health?

Abstract

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