Outsiders vs. insiders: access to care and physical and mental health in Canadian immigrants and nonimmigrants

Immigrants arrive to Canada healthier than the general population, however, their health starts to deteriorate in as early as two years after settling in their new host country. The factors that lead to this deterioration are still not fully understood. The factors that lead to this deterioration are still not fully understood. Some studies suggest that inequalities exist in accessing healthcare services and hence in the integration process affecting health deterioration, while others indicate genetic factors. The goal of this project is 1) to determine whether utilization in primary health care services among immigrants in the short and long term after their arrival to Canada differs from that of non-immigrants and 2) to assess impact on the development of chronic diseases and mental health. Several factors contributing to inequities to healthcare services such as having a family doctor and continuity of care might affect immigrants’ health as well as predict the health of immigrants.