Abstract

Few health studies have been conducted in a non-official language with participants. In addition, few studies have attempted to discover the social determinants of health to account for health inequalities for immigrant women through qualitative interviews (Hyman, 2007). This study endeavoured to understand the perceptions of health and the experiences of healthcare services in Toronto by Cantonese-speaking older immigrant women. The study was conducted in their own language. In addition to the Cantonese-speaking older immigrant women, community workers who work with Chinese immigrant clients were also interviewed. The social determinants of health were divided into post-migration challenges and systemic barriers, then analyzed with an intersectional theoretical framework. This study highlights the importance of an intersectional approach since many social determinants influenced the participants' health experiences. Furthermore, this study underlines the need to advocate for immigrant health to take prominence in national health policy in Canada.

Highlights

  • 1.1 BackgroundHealthcare is an essential service for every human being

  • Institutional factors or post-­‐migration challenges are barriers to Canadian healthcare that exist for immigrants (Asanin & Wilson, 2008; Fang, 2010; Hyman, 2009; Liang et al, 2004; Oxman-­‐Martinez et al, 2005; Sanmartin & Ross, 2006; Wood & Newbold, 2012)

  • Immigrant women were more at risk of poor integration into Canadian society since they had fewer opportunities to learn languages and skills, or to be employed (Lou & Beaujot, 2005). These findings show that social support and a sense of belonging should be considered as a factor that may influence the health for Chinese immigrant women

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Summary

Introduction

Institutional factors (i.e., health care system, medical professionals) or post-­‐migration challenges (i.e., immigration status, language) are barriers to Canadian healthcare that exist for immigrants (Asanin & Wilson, 2008; Fang, 2010; Hyman, 2009; Liang et al, 2004; Oxman-­‐Martinez et al, 2005; Sanmartin & Ross, 2006; Wood & Newbold, 2012). The heterogeneity of immigrant women requires examining their health in a way that accounts for possible differences. The social determinants of health can be a way to account for this heterogeneity among immigrant women (Atlantic Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health [ACEWH], 1998; Guruge et al, 2009)

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