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Social and economic influences on disparities in the health of racial and ethnic group Canadian immigrants

  • Quantitative Research
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Canadian Journal of Public Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To examine social, economic, and migratory influences on the health of racial and ethnic minority groups in Canada, with a special focus on Caribbean immigrants.

Methods

Combined annual cycles (2011–2016) of the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) data totaling over 300,000 adult Canadian residents were aggregated. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the prevalence and associated factors of (1) cardiovascular disease diagnosed by a healthcare professional, and (2) self-rated general health among racial and ethnic groups.

Results

Caribbeans in general, Black and other non-White Canadians had significantly higher odds (adjusted for age/sex) of reporting any cardiovascular disease compared with White Canadians. Only non-Caribbean Blacks had higher odds of self-rated fair or poor general health compared with White Canadians. Multivariate logistic regression models revealed that after controlling for social and demographic factors, immigration status and years since migration, Caribbean non-Blacks and Black Caribbeans were at higher odds of having a doctor-reported cardiovascular health condition compared with White Canadians. Caribbean non-Blacks also had higher odds of fair or poor self-rated health than White Canadians.

Conclusion

The results of this study highlight the need for additional investigations of other potential influences on physical health statuses, especially among migrants and those of African ancestry who might be more prone to adverse health outcomes.

Résumé

Objectif

Examiner les influences socioéconomiques et migratoires sur la santé des minorités raciales et ethniques au Canada, en particulier les immigrants caribéens.

Méthode

Les données des cycles annuels combinés (2011-2016) de l’Enquête sur la santé dans les collectivités canadiennes (ESCC) totalisant plus de 300 000 résidents canadiens adultes ont été regroupées. Des statistiques descriptives et des modèles de régression logistique multivariée ont été utilisés pour examiner la prévalence et les facteurs connexes 1) des maladies cardiovasculaires diagnostiquées par un professionnel des soins de santé et 2) de la santé générale autoévaluée au sein de groupes raciaux et ethniques.

Résultats

Les Caribéens en général, les Noirs et les autres Canadiens non blancs présentaient une probabilité sensiblement plus élevée (ajustée selon l’âge et le sexe) de déclarer n’importe quelle maladie cardiovasculaire que les Canadiens blancs. Seuls les Noirs non caribéens présentaient une probabilité supérieure de faire état d’une santé générale autoévaluée passable ou mauvaise que les Canadiens blancs. Les modèles de régression logistique multivariée ont révélé qu’en tenant compte des facteurs sociodémographiques, du statut d’immigration et du nombre d’années depuis la migration, les Caribéens non noirs et les Caribéens noirs présentaient une probabilité plus élevée d’avoir un trouble de santé cardiovasculaire déclaré par un médecin que les Canadiens blancs. Les Caribéens non noirs présentaient aussi une probabilité plus élevée de faire état d’une santé autoévaluée passable ou mauvaise que les Canadiens blancs.

Conclusion

Les résultats de l’étude soulignent la nécessité de pousser la recherche sur les autres facteurs susceptibles d’influencer l’état de santé physique, surtout chez les migrants et les personnes d’origine africaine qui pourraient être plus sujets à des résultats sanitaires indésirables.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Ms. Yvette Blackburn and Ms. Raquelle Forrester for their helpful editorial comments. We would also like to pay tribute to James S. Jackson, the senior author and mentor on this project, who passed away at the completion of this manuscript. 

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Authors

Contributions

K.K. Lacey was the lead author on this project. J. Park conducted the analyses. K.K. Lacey, A.Q. Briggs, J. Park, and J.S. Jackson all contributed to the conceptualization, interpretation of findings, and the writing of this research manuscript.

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Correspondence to Krim K. Lacey.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Secondary data collected by the Canadian government were used for this study; ethics committee approval was not required. Statistics Canada’s protection of respondents is based on the Statistics Act and Privacy Act.

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Lacey, K.K., Briggs, A.Q., Park, J. et al. Social and economic influences on disparities in the health of racial and ethnic group Canadian immigrants. Can J Public Health 112, 482–492 (2021). https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-020-00446-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-020-00446-8

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