A profile of immigrant health in Calgary
Abstract
It is well documented that immigrant and racialized groups often experience greater access barriers to health and social services in Canada. This occurs because of multiple factors including language, transportation, information, service fees, and discrimination. This report provides a profile of immigrant health in Calgary. Key findings include significant differences between immigrants and their Canadian-born counterparts in rates of unmet health care needs, physical health status, mental health status, sense of belonging to the local community, and the number and presence of chronic conditions experienced. The results often differ by immigrants’ length of time in Canada, which is also associated with age. Significant differences between immigrants and the Canadian-born population in the Calgary Zone are also found in rates of racialized identity, having a mother tongue other than English, living arrangements, sexual orientation, employment, and educational attainment—often differing by immigrants’ length of time in Canada. In addition, there are statistically significant differences between immigrants and their Canadian-born counterparts in terms of health care access and general health status, some of which may have implications for service provision and, ultimately, health outcomes. In sum, this research demonstrates statistically significant differences in several of the social determinants of health, in health care access and general health status, and in the health outcomes experienced by immigrants as compared to Canadian-born individuals living in the Calgary Zone Community Health Region.
Notes
Location
Calgary, Alberta
Integration timeline
At what point during the integration process the study was conducted?
Length of time in Canada among immigrants (recent = 10 years or less, mid-term = 11 to 25 years, and long-term = more than 25 years)
Key findings
There are significant differences between immigrants and their Canadian-born counterparts in rates of unmet healthcare needs, physical health status, mental health status, sense of belonging to the local community and the number and presence of chronic conditions experienced.
Open-access – Yes
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59fa4b5cd0e628b24f1cfbba/t/5c3f864c0e2e72f4a486a57e/1547667024646/A+Profile+of+Immigrant+Health+in+Calgary_FINAL_2019-01-15_SMS.pdf
Key recommendations
NA
Gaps identified
NA
Key populations
Immigrants as defined in census
Community organizations
CLIP