Determinants of Newcomer Health
The research projects within this agenda look at the relationship between settlement and health, with a focus on issues facing immigrants and refugees who are new to Canada.
The relative importance of specific determinants of health may be different for recent immigrants and refugees compared to Canadian born or immigrants who have been in Canada for a long time. For example, linguistic barriers, social support, social exclusion and discrimination, and access to services appear to be particularly important factors in determining the health and wellbeing of newcomers.
In addition, the health and settlement issues that refugee communities face is quite different from those faced by other immigrants. Living for long periods in refugees camps, the experience of moving through many ‘transition countries,’ the loss of relatives, and other traumatic experiences put refugee communities at risk for a wide range of physical, social and mental health issues.
Refugee Youth Health Project
This community-based researchi project will engage and train refugee youth as peer researchers to collaboratively investigate key mental health issues faced by young Sudanese, Afghan and Karen refugees. The main purpose of this project is to develop more inclusive, proactive and empowering models of mental health service and mental health promotion strategies for refugee youth.
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Toronto Newcomer Health Research Project
This project will bring together new and existing data on the health status and health needs of recent immigrants and refugees to Toronto. The project's findings will provide insight into how to best maintain, prmote and improve the health of necomers to Toronto.
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Exploring mental health issues faced by Government Assisted Refugees
Focused on government assisted refugees from Afghanistan, Sudan and Burma, this exploratory research project will help to deepen our understanding of refugee mental health issues.
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Mental Health Services for Newcomer Youth: Exploring the Needs and Enhancing Access
This project investigates the range of mental health issues that newcomer youth face and examine how they seek help around mental health issues. The study also explores barriers for accessing community-based mental health services for newcomer youth.
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Diabetes and Migration
This project is part of the International Collaborative Study on Migration and Diabetes. The research will investigate the relationship between migration and diabetes by assessing experiences with diabetes, and behaviours and socio-economic conditions affecting its risk, prevention, treatment and management among migrants and non-migrants; it will also examine the roles of the healthcare system, as perceived and practiced by healthcare personnel working with immigrants.
