How Are New Immigrants Vulnerable?
Ongoing issues of access to medically necessary services and prohibitive costs for newcomers are well documented. According to Dynamics of Immigrants’ Health in Canada: Evidence from the National Population Health Survey’ immigrants generally arrive with better health than the Canadian-born population. However, as time passes, this healthy immigrant effect tends to diminish. Over time, newcomers’ health status decreases to become more aligned with the average Canadian’s level of health. While some health issues are age-related, other health problems are due to the stress of settlement and integration. More and more frequently, this includes a lack of suitable employment, increased poverty, disillusionment and desperation, adverse mental health effects and an inability to pay for health coverage not available through the public health system. Immigrant women and children are particularly affected. This overall lack of wellness among new immigrants and refugees contributes directly to th
