Please note, this is not an open access database or repository. We have focused on creating simple summaries of reports and articles that we have accessed through websites and academic journals, with a focus on key findings, so that even if a full report is not free to access you can reference it. When possible, we include a link to wherever the original document is hosted (which may or may not be open-access). If you come across a link that is no longer active, please let us know and we can update it. There are also some reports that will have been submitted directly to the project. In this case, these reports are uploaded directly with permission from the author or publisher. Any original documents found on this site are stored in Canada on our secure servers

Barriers experienced by families new to Alberta, Canada when accessing routine-childhood vaccinations

As Canada and other high-income countries continue to welcome newcomers, this study aimed to 1) understand newcomer parents’ attitudes towards routine-childhood vaccinations (RCVs), and 2) identify barriers newcomer parents face when accessing RCVs in Alberta (Calgary, Edmonton and High River). Overall, parents in the focus groups were motivated and willing to vaccinate their children but experienced several barriers related to their capability and opportunity to access RCVs. Five main themes emerged: 1) lack of reputable information about RCVs, 2) language barriers when looking for information and asking questions about RCVs, 3) lack of access to a primary care provider (PCP), 4) lack of affordable and convenient transportation options, and 5) due to the COVID-19 pandemic, lack of available vaccine appointments. The findings highlight that several barriers faced by newcomer families ultimately stem from issues related to accessing information about RCVs and the challenges families face once at vaccination clinics, highlighting opportunities for health systems to better support newcomers in accessing RCVs. As Canada and other high-income countries continue to welcome newcomers, this study aimed to 1) understand newcomer parents’ attitudes towards routine-childhood vaccinations (RCVs), and 2) identify barriers newcomer parents face when accessing RCVs in Alberta (Calgary, Edmonton and High River). Overall, parents in the focus groups were motivated and willing to vaccinate their children but experienced several barriers related to their capability and opportunity to access RCVs. Five main themes emerged: 1) lack of reputable information about RCVs, 2) language barriers when looking for information and asking questions about RCVs, 3) lack of access to a primary care provider (PCP), 4) lack of affordable and convenient transportation options, and 5) due to the COVID-19 pandemic, lack of available vaccine appointments. The findings highlight that several barriers faced by newcomer families ultimately stem from issues related to accessing information about RCVs and the challenges families face once at vaccination clinics, highlighting opportunities for health systems to better support newcomers in accessing RCVs.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

The intersections of race, immigrant status, and university confirmations in Toronto

Although the number of students attending university has been steadily increasing over the past 20 years, discrepancies remain across racialized student groups. Students who immigrate to Canada also face a number of barriers to university participation. However, few studies investigate variations in university participation across racialized immigrant student groups. We draw on an intersectional approach to analyze student data from the Toronto District School Board. We employ multilevel logistic regression to examine if there are interactive effects of being both racialized and having an immigrant status on confirming a university enrollment. Looking at self-identified race and immigrant status of students in combination reveals that there are important differences in the likelihood of confirming and offer of university admission between several self-identified racial categories, depending on if they were foreign-born. Although the number of students attending university has been steadily increasing over the past 20 years, discrepancies remain across racialized student groups. Students who immigrate to Canada also face a number of barriers to university participation. However, few studies investigate variations in university participation across racialized immigrant student groups. We draw on an intersectional approach to analyze student data from the Toronto District School Board. We employ multilevel logistic regression to examine if there are interactive effects of being both racialized and having an immigrant status on confirming a university enrollment. Looking at self-identified race and immigrant status of students in combination reveals that there are important differences in the likelihood of confirming and offer of university admission between several self-identified racial categories, depending on if they were foreign-born.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Parenting practices of Somali immigrant mothers in Alberta

This paper provides insights into the little-explored gendered perspective of the parenting practices of Somali immigrant mothers in Alberta. Mothers were interviewed about their parenting practices in a postmigration context, including challenges. Results suggest the need for anti-racist and culturally safe health, education, and child policies and practices. This paper provides insights into the little-explored gendered perspective of the parenting practices of Somali immigrant mothers in Alberta. Mothers were interviewed about their parenting practices in a postmigration context, including challenges. Results suggest the need for anti-racist and culturally safe health, education, and child policies and practices.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Vaccines for all: A formative evaluation of a multistakeholder community-engaged COVID-19 vaccine outreach clinic for migrant communities

Racialized, low-income, and migrant communities in East and Northeast Calgary were disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, yet faced vaccine access barriers. This article is a formative evaluation of a low-barrier, community-engaged vaccine outreach clinic in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on June 5–6, 2021. Stakeholder respondents felt the clinic was effective (99.2%), efficient (96.9%), patient-centered (92.3%), and safe (90.8%), and that the outreach model was scalable 94.6% (123/130). Suggested improvements include increased time for clinic planning and promotion, more multilingual staff, and further efforts to reduce accessibility barriers, such as priority check-in for people with disabilities. These findings support the value of community-engaged outreach to improve vaccine equity among other marginalized newcomer communities. Racialized, low-income, and migrant communities in East and Northeast Calgary were disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, yet faced vaccine access barriers. This article is a formative evaluation of a low-barrier, community-engaged vaccine outreach clinic in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on June 5–6, 2021. Stakeholder respondents felt the clinic was effective (99.2%), efficient (96.9%), patient-centered (92.3%), and safe (90.8%), and that the outreach model was scalable 94.6% (123/130). Suggested improvements include increased time for clinic planning and promotion, more multilingual staff, and further efforts to reduce accessibility barriers, such as priority check-in for people with disabilities. These findings support the value of community-engaged outreach to improve vaccine equity among other marginalized newcomer communities.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

“We’re always looking at the dollars and cents”: The financial wellbeing of racialized older immigrants in Canada through the lens of service providers

Analyzing data from a focus group with service providers in the city of Calgary, Alberta, this article identifies the barriers to financial well-being among racialized older immigrants and newcomers. Structural barriers discussed included the ten-year and twenty-year dependency period, and experiences of structured dependency within intergenerational family units. Analyzing data from a focus group with service providers in the city of Calgary, Alberta, this article identifies the barriers to financial well-being among racialized older immigrants and newcomers. Structural barriers discussed included the ten-year and twenty-year dependency period, and experiences of structured dependency within intergenerational family units.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

An Exploration of COVID-19 Vaccine Perspectives among Refugees in Calgary, Canada

This study explored refugee experiences with COVID-19 vaccination in Calgary and area in 2021-2022 by interviewing refugees, sponsors of refugees and COVID-19 vaccination system stakeholders This study explored refugee experiences with COVID-19 vaccination in Calgary and area in 2021-2022 by interviewing refugees, sponsors of refugees and COVID-19 vaccination system stakeholders
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Development and evaluation of the IPLAY program: A protocol for a mixed-methods feasibility study targeting newcomer youth

Physical Literacy (PL) is foundational to the development of movement competencies, paired with the knowledge and motivation for regular physical activity. Among the more prominent gaps in the literature is the design and evaluation of programs that aim to increase PL within specific populations, such as new immigrants or refugee youth. The Immigrant-focused Physical Literacy for Youth (IPLAY) program is a 8-week PL program designed for new immigrant and refugee youth who have recently settled in Calgary, Alberta. IPLAY includes different sports and games targeted at participants’ confidence, competence, motivation, and knowledge and understanding. This article discusses the result of a study that evaluates the feasibility of the IPLAY as an intervention program for newcomers. Physical Literacy (PL) is foundational to the development of movement competencies, paired with the knowledge and motivation for regular physical activity. Among the more prominent gaps in the literature is the design and evaluation of programs that aim to increase PL within specific populations, such as new immigrants or refugee youth. The Immigrant-focused Physical Literacy for Youth (IPLAY) program is a 8-week PL program designed for new immigrant and refugee youth who have recently settled in Calgary, Alberta. IPLAY includes different sports and games targeted at participants’ confidence, competence, motivation, and knowledge and understanding. This article discusses the result of a study that evaluates the feasibility of the IPLAY as an intervention program for newcomers.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

An Exploration of COVID-19 Vaccine Models of Delivery in Calgary, Canada

This study explored refugee experiences in Calgary and surrounding area to understand barriers, strengths, and strategies of various models to support access to COVID-19 vaccination. This study explored refugee experiences in Calgary and surrounding area to understand barriers, strengths, and strategies of various models to support access to COVID-19 vaccination.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Social integration experiences of young newcomers in Canadian high schools and the importance of friendship

As the population of young newcomers (immigrants, refugees and international students) increases in Canada, there is a growing need to understand the social integration process of these students into Canadian schools. This thesis reports a qualitative analysis of how newcomer students in three Albertan schools perceived their experiences interacting with local students. As the population of young newcomers (immigrants, refugees and international students) increases in Canada, there is a growing need to understand the social integration process of these students into Canadian schools. This thesis reports a qualitative analysis of how newcomer students in three Albertan schools perceived their experiences interacting with local students.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

How heritage language schools offered grassroots community support through the pandemic

Heritage language schools in Edmonton, AB are grassroots organizations that provide various services for newcomers, such as language classes, employment opportunities, community connections, and day care. 25 heritage language schools were studied during the COVID-19 pandemic, and results showed that the schools gave important support to temporary foreign workers (TFWs), combatted anti-Asian racism, and supported front-line workers. Heritage language schools in Edmonton, AB are grassroots organizations that provide various services for newcomers, such as language classes, employment opportunities, community connections, and day care. 25 heritage language schools were studied during the COVID-19 pandemic, and results showed that the schools gave important support to temporary foreign workers (TFWs), combatted anti-Asian racism, and supported front-line workers.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly