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. 2021 Jun;112(3):482-492.
doi: 10.17269/s41997-020-00446-8. Epub 2021 Jan 8.

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

Krim K Lacey  1 , Anthony Q Briggs  2 , Jungwee Park  3 , James S Jackson  4
Affiliations

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

Krim K Lacey et al. Can J Public Health. 2021 Jun.

Abstract
in English, French

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.

Keywords: Migration; Physical health; Race/ethnicity; Social and economic factors.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Any cardiovascular disease by race/ethnicity and age. Note: E use with caution (CV between 16.6% and 33.3%), F suppressed due to CV greater than 33.3%. Data source: Canadian Community Health Survey, 2011–2016
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Self-rated fair or poor general health by race/ethnicity and age. Note: E use with caution (CV between 16.6% and 33.3%), F suppressed due to CV greater than 33.3%. Data source: Canadian Community Health Survey, 2011–2016
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