Research Library

Studies on immigrant populations’ access to healthcare in Canada tend to focus on adults and usually concentrate on specific ethnic groups. This study sought to present the experiences of immigrant parents in Edmonton, AB when they access health services for their children focusing specifically on the various sources of information that they used to improve their children’s health. Fifty immigrant parents from Edmonton semi-structured interviews. We developed three main themes from the data: Accessing social networks for informational support, the role of professionals in accessing health care information, and navigating and evaluating information sources. The study demonstrates that immigrant families consulted various sources of information in order to meet their children’s healthcare needs. The most common source was the Internet followed by friends and family members, and health care professionals. Findings suggest that health information that is disseminated using the Internet needs to be made available in multiple languages to facilitate communication to persons who are not fluent in English nor French. Also, policy makers and health care professionals must increase focus on informal sources of health care information. Studies on immigrant populations’ access to healthcare in Canada tend to focus on adults and usually concentrate on specific ethnic groups. This study sought to present the experiences of immigrant parents in Edmonton, AB when they access health services for their children focusing specifically on the various sources of information that they used to improve their children’s health. Fifty immigrant parents from Edmonton semi-structured interviews. We developed three main themes from the data: Accessing social networks for informational support, the role of professionals in accessing health care information, and navigating and evaluating information sources. The study demonstrates that immigrant families consulted various sources of information in order to meet their children’s healthcare needs. The most common source was the Internet followed by friends and family members, and health care professionals. Findings suggest that health information that is disseminated using the Internet needs to be made available in multiple languages to facilitate communication to persons who are not fluent in English nor French. Also, policy makers and health care professionals must increase focus on informal sources of health care information.
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Clinical guidelines support exercise in managing osteoarthritis. Physical activity in immigrants is affected by migration-related factors: acculturation, stress associated with settling in a new country, physical environments, and availability of resources. Other challenges are: competing time demands, cultural norms and behaviours, motivation and lack of peer support. Adult physical inactivity rates are high in Muslim majority countries, especially for Arab Muslims and Muslim women. Barriers to Muslim women participating in leisure physical activity, for example, include gendered norms of behavior, religious interpretations of women’s participation in sports, lack of access to gender-segregated spaces, lack of social support, lack of education on physical activity and competing social obligations. Participants of this research emphasized the importance of physical activity in older age and prioritized the need for physical activity programs. The four themes highlight Muslim older immigrants’ perspectives on physical activity in Canada: (a) values and approaches to staying active, (b) health factors: pain and health limitations, (c) social factors: culture, religion and belonging; and (d) environmental factors: safety and accessibility. Lack of effective strategies for pain management was a major concern for many participants and hindered their ability to engage in both daily living activities and more strenuous forms of exercise and recreation activities. Physical activity in older age is valued by older Muslim immigrants but financial, cultural, and environmental barriers to physical activity warrant intervention. One avenue of promoting physical activity in Muslim older immigrants is the development of local, accessible, and culturally sensitive programming that address both the physical activity, education, and socialization needs of this population. Clinical guidelines support exercise in managing osteoarthritis. Physical activity in immigrants is affected by migration-related factors: acculturation, stress associated with settling in a new country, physical environments, and availability of resources. Other challenges are: competing time demands, cultural norms and behaviours, motivation and lack of peer support. Adult physical inactivity rates are high in Muslim majority countries, especially for Arab Muslims and Muslim women. Barriers to Muslim women participating in leisure physical activity, for example, include gendered norms of behavior, religious interpretations of women’s participation in sports, lack of access to gender-segregated spaces, lack of social support, lack of education on physical activity and competing social obligations. Participants of this research emphasized the importance of physical activity in older age and prioritized the need for physical activity programs. The four themes highlight Muslim older immigrants’ perspectives on physical activity in Canada: (a) values and approaches to staying active, (b) health factors: pain and health limitations, (c) social factors: culture, religion and belonging; and (d) environmental factors: safety and accessibility. Lack of effective strategies for pain management was a major concern for many participants and hindered their ability to engage in both daily living activities and more strenuous forms of exercise and recreation activities. Physical activity in older age is valued by older Muslim immigrants but financial, cultural, and environmental barriers to physical activity warrant intervention. One avenue of promoting physical activity in Muslim older immigrants is the development of local, accessible, and culturally sensitive programming that address both the physical activity, education, and socialization needs of this population.
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Immigrant doctors represent a significant portion of family physicians and specialists in Calgary. Even more could be certified to practice as doctors or in other related professions, but face high financial and regulatory barriers upon arriving. Facilitating their licensing to practice medicine would benefit them and all Calgarians. Immigrant doctors represent a significant portion of family physicians and specialists in Calgary. Even more could be certified to practice as doctors or in other related professions, but face high financial and regulatory barriers upon arriving. Facilitating their licensing to practice medicine would benefit them and all Calgarians.
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Effective policies are needed to address the issues of precarious status of migrant workers. The experience of migrant workers is highly structured by the policies and systems in destination countries. In Canada, policy changes have affected the experiences of migrants. We sought to examine the impact of changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in 2015 on migrants in Alberta, one of Canada’s western provinces. The findings of our study reveal that the changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in Canada in 2015 restricted the rights of these workers, intensified exploitation, and led to mental health strain for temporary foreign workers and their families. To attend to the marginal status of migrant workers, there is a need to broaden pathways to permanent resident status for low-wage temporary foreign workers in destination countries. Effective policies are needed to address the issues of precarious status of migrant workers. The experience of migrant workers is highly structured by the policies and systems in destination countries. In Canada, policy changes have affected the experiences of migrants. We sought to examine the impact of changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in 2015 on migrants in Alberta, one of Canada’s western provinces. The findings of our study reveal that the changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in Canada in 2015 restricted the rights of these workers, intensified exploitation, and led to mental health strain for temporary foreign workers and their families. To attend to the marginal status of migrant workers, there is a need to broaden pathways to permanent resident status for low-wage temporary foreign workers in destination countries.
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The increase in global migration means more immigrants are ageing in host countries with unique experiences and needs. Muslim immigrants in Canada are from diverse ethnocultural communities and experience unmet health and social needs in older age. A community-based participatory research project was conducted in Alberta, Canada, in 2017-2018 to understand the experiences and needs of healthy ageing in this population. Participants were asked about their experiences of growing old in Canada, unmet health and social needs, and community perspectives on healthy ageing. We identified two major themes: (a) intersections of exclusion: ageism, sexism, racism, and; (b) strategies for inclusion: local, national, transnational. Findings highlight both the vulnerability of Muslim immigrant older adults and their capacity for agency. The study findings point to the intersecting influences of exclusionary practices on social isolation and loneliness in immigrant older adults. They also call to adjust developing social policies and programs according to existing exclusionary practices to foster healthy ageing. The increase in global migration means more immigrants are ageing in host countries with unique experiences and needs. Muslim immigrants in Canada are from diverse ethnocultural communities and experience unmet health and social needs in older age. A community-based participatory research project was conducted in Alberta, Canada, in 2017-2018 to understand the experiences and needs of healthy ageing in this population. Participants were asked about their experiences of growing old in Canada, unmet health and social needs, and community perspectives on healthy ageing. We identified two major themes: (a) intersections of exclusion: ageism, sexism, racism, and; (b) strategies for inclusion: local, national, transnational. Findings highlight both the vulnerability of Muslim immigrant older adults and their capacity for agency. The study findings point to the intersecting influences of exclusionary practices on social isolation and loneliness in immigrant older adults. They also call to adjust developing social policies and programs according to existing exclusionary practices to foster healthy ageing.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

The purpose of this study was to determine Quebec population norms from the questionnaire EQ-5D-5L (a self-assessed, health related, quality of life questionnaire). Among people who completed the questionnaire, those with lower scores were those who had a low or high body mass index; were smokers; were single, divorced, or widowed; had no children; were unemployed or sick; had lower education or lower annual income; and had a family or personal history of serious illness. Immigrants had higher scores. There was no difference in gender and urban or rural population. The score logically decreased with worsening health status. Similar results were observed for subjects’ satisfaction with their health or life. Subjects with lower scores were less willing to take risks. Subjects who declared they were affected by health problems presented significant lower utility scores (utility score reflects the level of physical, mental, and social functioning associated with a particular health state and the preference weight the general population gives to that health state). This is the first study to present utility score norms for EQ-5D-5L for the Quebec population. These results will be useful for comparison with quality-adjusted life-year studies to better interpret their results. Moreover, utility norms were provided for 21 health problems, which was rarely done. The purpose of this study was to determine Quebec population norms from the questionnaire EQ-5D-5L (a self-assessed, health related, quality of life questionnaire). Among people who completed the questionnaire, those with lower scores were those who had a low or high body mass index; were smokers; were single, divorced, or widowed; had no children; were unemployed or sick; had lower education or lower annual income; and had a family or personal history of serious illness. Immigrants had higher scores. There was no difference in gender and urban or rural population. The score logically decreased with worsening health status. Similar results were observed for subjects’ satisfaction with their health or life. Subjects with lower scores were less willing to take risks. Subjects who declared they were affected by health problems presented significant lower utility scores (utility score reflects the level of physical, mental, and social functioning associated with a particular health state and the preference weight the general population gives to that health state). This is the first study to present utility score norms for EQ-5D-5L for the Quebec population. These results will be useful for comparison with quality-adjusted life-year studies to better interpret their results. Moreover, utility norms were provided for 21 health problems, which was rarely done.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Interviews were used to explore the experiences of immigrant parents in accessing Albertan healthcare services for their children. The findings highlight several challenges faced by immigrant families, including long wait times for health services, income inequity, and language barriers. The study emphasizes the importance of increasing the supply of health professionals, addressing income inequity, and providing trained interpreters to assist immigrant populations. Additionally, developing a therapeutic relationship with immigrants is identified as vital for improving access to healthcare. Interviews were used to explore the experiences of immigrant parents in accessing Albertan healthcare services for their children. The findings highlight several challenges faced by immigrant families, including long wait times for health services, income inequity, and language barriers. The study emphasizes the importance of increasing the supply of health professionals, addressing income inequity, and providing trained interpreters to assist immigrant populations. Additionally, developing a therapeutic relationship with immigrants is identified as vital for improving access to healthcare.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

Although Canada is recognized internationally as a leader in immigration policy, supports are not responsive to the traumatic experiences of many newcomers. Many mothers and children arriving in Canada are at elevated risk of homelessness. Individual and group interviews with 18 newcomer mothers with current or recent experiences with homelessness and with 16 service providers working in multiple sectors were conducted. Three main themes emerged: gendered and racialized pathways into homelessness; system failures, and pre- and post-migration trauma. This study revealed structural barriers rooted in preoccupation with economic success that negate and exacerbate the effects of violence and homelessness. The impacts of structural discrimination and violence are embedded in federal policy. It is critical to posit gender and culturally appropriate alternatives that focus on system issues. Although Canada is recognized internationally as a leader in immigration policy, supports are not responsive to the traumatic experiences of many newcomers. Many mothers and children arriving in Canada are at elevated risk of homelessness. Individual and group interviews with 18 newcomer mothers with current or recent experiences with homelessness and with 16 service providers working in multiple sectors were conducted. Three main themes emerged: gendered and racialized pathways into homelessness; system failures, and pre- and post-migration trauma. This study revealed structural barriers rooted in preoccupation with economic success that negate and exacerbate the effects of violence and homelessness. The impacts of structural discrimination and violence are embedded in federal policy. It is critical to posit gender and culturally appropriate alternatives that focus on system issues.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

The 2013 Albertan flood resulted in devastating impacts for immigrant children, youth, and families across the province. This article presents the findings of the Alberta Resilient Communities (ARC) Project, a collaborative research initiative that aimed to better understand the social, economic, health, cultural, spiritual, and personal factors that contribute to resiliency among immigrant children and youth following the flood. The study findings demonstrate that immigrants faced significant socio-economic impacts, trauma, job loss, and housing instability as a result of the flood and its aftermath. Schools, immigrant parents, and community connections were found to play a key role in fostering immigrant child and youth resilience post-disaster. The 2013 Albertan flood resulted in devastating impacts for immigrant children, youth, and families across the province. This article presents the findings of the Alberta Resilient Communities (ARC) Project, a collaborative research initiative that aimed to better understand the social, economic, health, cultural, spiritual, and personal factors that contribute to resiliency among immigrant children and youth following the flood. The study findings demonstrate that immigrants faced significant socio-economic impacts, trauma, job loss, and housing instability as a result of the flood and its aftermath. Schools, immigrant parents, and community connections were found to play a key role in fostering immigrant child and youth resilience post-disaster.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly

This article looks at strategies of resistance that Sub-Saharan Africans employ while adapting to Canadian environment. We assert that the refugees engage in numerous economic, sociopolitical and cultural transnational activities. Their initiatives benefit the refugees themselves and the sending and receiving countries. They serve as anti-racism and development tools against the backdrop of racism that they endure in Canada, the trauma of war and displacement, as well as war-related destruction in the sending country. They also strengthen awareness and better understanding of multiculturalism among Canadians. In the process, the subjects drew on scarce resources and overcame atrocious difficulties in order to improve their lives and create uplifting stories and actions. Though transnational migration also generates problematic impacts, these barriers could be overcome if the benefits of transnational migration are extended. Thus, we draw on the subjects’ resilience to expand conceptions about transnational migration in order to turn it into a most fruitful avenue in the twenty-first century. This article looks at strategies of resistance that Sub-Saharan Africans employ while adapting to Canadian environment. We assert that the refugees engage in numerous economic, sociopolitical and cultural transnational activities. Their initiatives benefit the refugees themselves and the sending and receiving countries. They serve as anti-racism and development tools against the backdrop of racism that they endure in Canada, the trauma of war and displacement, as well as war-related destruction in the sending country. They also strengthen awareness and better understanding of multiculturalism among Canadians. In the process, the subjects drew on scarce resources and overcame atrocious difficulties in order to improve their lives and create uplifting stories and actions. Though transnational migration also generates problematic impacts, these barriers could be overcome if the benefits of transnational migration are extended. Thus, we draw on the subjects’ resilience to expand conceptions about transnational migration in order to turn it into a most fruitful avenue in the twenty-first century.
This publication has no Abstract to dispaly