Overview

Abstract (English)

Objective: This study examined the influence of gender and ethnicity on the diminishing ‘healthy immigrant advantage’ and its determinants. Method: Data was taken from a three-wave survey sample of the Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada (LSIC) conducted between April 2001 and November 2005. The weighted sample included 3,309 male and 3,351 female new immigrants between 20 and 59 years of age. Main results: Our study revealed gender and ethnic disparities in developing ‘poor’ SRH and MH of new immigrants after arrival in Canada. A significant increase in ‘poor’ SRH prevalence was observed in West-Asian and Chinese male immigrants (5.9% and 5.0% increase) and in Arab/African, South-Asian, and Chinese female immigrants (8.3%, 12.3%, and 9.5% increase). While a 22% to 23.1% increase in ‘poor’ MH was observed in Arab/African, West- and South-Asian, and Chinese males, the most significant increase (36.5% to 30.1%) were in Arab/African, West- and South-Asian, and Latin-American females. After controlling for potential covariates, in comparison to European counterparts, ethnic disparities on ‘poor’ self-rated health were found in West Asian men, and in Arab/African, South Asian, and Chinese women. Although most Asian men (except Southeast/East Asian) were a greater risk of ‘poor’ MH, Chinese and Southeast/East Asian women showed better mental health than their European counterparts. Socioeconomics, language fluency, discrimination, and social support factors seemed to partially explain ethnic health disparities. In particular, discrimination significantly contributed to ‘poor’ mental health among female ethnic minorities. In contrast, the negative effect of part-time work, unemployment, and low income on ‘poor’ self-rated health was strongly associated with male immigrants, especially male ethnic minorities. Conclusion: Future immigrant studies should explore the complex pathways linked to gender and ethnic health disparities among new immigrants in order to facilitate the development of integrated public policies.

Abstract (French)

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