Categories: Immigrant and Refugee Health

Financial help available to make prescription drugs more accessible for more Ontarians

Prescription affordability consistently emerges as a major barrier in our work. Many patients report making difficult choices between filling their medications and paying rent or other essential expenses. Provincial drug programs and benefits exist, but they are not always easy to navigate.

What difference can a financial intervention, with support, make on someone’s health?

A Newcomer Health Plan for Ontario – the time is right

It is time to design, validate, and evaluate an equity-focused Newcomer Health Plan (NHP) in Ontario.

Why a Newcomer Health Plan?

Approximately 250,000 people immigrate to Canada annually, contributing to about two-thirds of the country’s annual population growth (1); and almost half of all new Canadians settled in Ontario in 2025 (2).

Youth Service Needs Assessment of Selected Neighbourhoods in East York and Scarborough

Objectives

The objective of this needs assessment of youth services in East York and Scarborough was to establish a comprehensive understanding of the concerns, service requirements, and preferences of youth aged 16-24 years. The findings and implications are designed to guide the improvement and development of programs and services that promote optimal youth health and well-being.

Social prescribing, community development, social determinants of health – a showcase of research and impact 

On May 14th we collaborated with Holistic Sustainable Development Network International (HSDNI) for their 9th Sustainability Collaborative Conference. The event showcased HSDNI’s commitment to sustainable development through cooperation and practical models that balance economic growth with environmental and cultural preservation. It was also an opportunity for Access Alliance to showcase our research impact and research partnerships. 

The Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 on Immigrants and Refugees with Chronic Illnesses 

This community-based research project delved into the compounded effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on immigrants and refugees living with cancer, and mental health and addiction disorders. The study, a collaboration including Access Alliance, sought to understand the challenges faced by individuals at the intersection of social and clinical disadvantage during a public health crisis.

Supporting Refugee Youth: From Research to Practice 

This project addressed the critical issue of family loss and separation and its profound impact on the mental and social well-being of refugee youth. Refugee youth are a particularly vulnerable population, often facing significant challenges in their trans-migration settlement process. There was a gap in the existing literature regarding the specific effects of family separation and loss on refugee youth.

Impact of Social Isolation on Refugee Children and Youth

Long-term lockdown and social isolation, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, are unprecedented experiences. To date, not enough studies have been conducted to fully understand the impact of this social isolation on refugee youth, and to be able to create a model for resilience. Over the past few years, the research team of Access Alliance has been working on the impact of family loss and separation on refugee youth.

Promoting Green Living among Newcomer Families

The key goal of this applied research project was to assess the role of community-based green living workshop series in promoting environmental/green living knowledge and practice among newcomer families living in low-income neighborhoods in Toronto. Another goal of this study was to document newcomer perspectives on environment/green living, and its link to food security and health.

Best Practices for Planning Services During Large Cohort Refugee Arrivals

Based on Syrian refugee response, this study seeks to identify best practice recommendations for planning and delivering services when large cohorts of refugees arrive within a short span of time.

Our Research Goals and Methods
Between late 2015 and mid-2017, a total of 40,000 Syrian refugees were resettled in Canada (Government of Canada,

Migration and Diabetes

The key goal of this project was to document experiences of diabetes and the factors affecting its risk, prevention, treatment and self-management among recent immigrants (compared to Canadian-born).
Our Research Goals and Methods
Recent immigrants and refugees to Canada (those who immigrated less than 10 years ago) from South Asia,