The health of Canada's immigrants in 1994-95

Abstract

The "healthy immigrant effect" observed in other countries also prevails in Canada. Immigrants, especially recent immigrants, are less likely than the Canadian-born population to have chronic conditions or disabilities. The effect is most evident among those from non-European countries, who constitute the majority of recent immigrants to Canada. This article compares the health status, health care utilization, and health-related behaviour of immigrants with the Canadian-born population, and is based on self-reported data from the 1994-95 National Population Health Survey. Health status is examined in terms of chronic conditions, disability and health-related dependency. The indicators of health care utilization are hospitalization, contact with physicians and dentists, and unmet needs for health services. The health-related behaviours analysed are smoking and leisure time physical activity.