Canadian Journal of Public Health
Volume 102, Issue 4, 2011, Pages 269-272

Refugees and health care - the need for data: Understanding the health of government-assisted refugees in Canada through a prospective longitudinal cohort (Article)

Gabriel P.S. , Morgan-Jonker C. , Phung C.M.W. , Barrios R. , Kaczorowski J.
  • a Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, #212 3001 Gordon Avenue, Vancouver, BC V3C 2K7, Canada, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada
  • b Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
  • c BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
  • d BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
  • e Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, #212 3001 Gordon Avenue, Vancouver, BC V3C 2K7, Canada

Abstract

Canada is a country with large populations of immigrants and refugees. These populations face unique health challenges and barriers to accessing health care services. Amendments to the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in 2002 have resulted in an increase in refugees with complex medical needs. However, little is known about the health of refugees on arrival and their subsequent health care trajectories. There is an urgent need for an improved understanding of refugee demographics and health status on arrival, changes in health status over time, utilization of health services, and characteristics associated with optimal health outcomes. This knowledge gap could be addressed through the creation of a longitudinal cohort study of government-assisted refugees (GARs) in British Columbia (BC). The provision of services for GARs in BC lends itself readily to the creation of a prospective GAR cohort. This, combined with access to highly reliable, valid and comprehensive administrative databases available through Population Data BC, would allow for longitudinal follow-up, and ensure low attrition rates. Establishment of such a cohort would improve knowledge of refugee health and could guide health service providers and policy-makers in providing optimal services to GARs. © Canadian Public Health Association, 2011.

Author Keywords

Longitudinal studies Utilization Cohort studies Refugees Health services Prospective studies

Index Keywords

prospective study longitudinal study refugee health care policy Prospective Studies human Longitudinal Studies Refugees health service Health Services Needs and Demand Humans male Canada female Health Status Indicators Article Health Policy British Columbia Health Services Accessibility health care delivery health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79961200832&partnerID=40&md5=81b268887f1221472081f49e70cc3ef9
ISSN: 00084263
Cited by: 12
Original Language: English