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Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique logoLink to Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique
. 2004 May 1;95(3):I4–I8. doi: 10.1007/BF03403658

Setting the Stage: Reviewing Current Knowledge on the Health of Canadian Immigrants

What Is the Evidence and Where Are the Gaps?

Ilene Hyman 1,✉
PMCID: PMC6975655  PMID: 15191125

Abstract

The paper reviews current knowledge on the health of Canadian immigrants, examines evidence, and identifies research gaps. The information presented is derived from two recent literature reviews. Most literature suggests that Canadian immigrants, particularly recent arrivals, enjoy health advantages over long-term immigrants and the Canadian-born population in terms of overall health status and the prevalence of certain chronic diseases. Immigrants with infectious diseases may experience improvements in health over time. Patterns of immigrant mental health are less clear. More research is needed on specific health problems, how to address determinants of health, and the types of programs and services necessary to maintain immigrants in good health over time. Steps must be taken to strengthen existing databases and develop new ones.

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