Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 21, Issue 3, 2019, Pages 439-442

Differences in Self-Reported Health and Unmet Health Needs Between Government Assisted and Privately Sponsored Syrian Refugees: A Cross-Sectional Survey (Article)

Oda A.* , Hynie M. , Tuck A. , Agic B. , Roche B. , McKenzie K.
  • a Health Equity Department, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada
  • b Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Canada
  • c Health Equity Department, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada
  • d Health Equity Department, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
  • e Wellesley Institute, Toronto, Canada
  • f Health Equity Department, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada, Wellesley Institute, Toronto, Canada

Abstract

Between November 2015 and January 2017, the Government of Canada resettled over 40,000 Syrian refugees through different sponsorship programs (GAR and PSR). Timely access to healthcare is essential for good health and successful integration. However, refugee support differs depending on sponsorship program, which may lead to differences in healthcare service access and needs. A cross-sectional study with a sample of Syrian refugees was conducted to assess healthcare access, and perceived physical and mental health status. Results indicate demographic and healthcare access differences between GARs and PSRs. GARs reported significantly lower perceived physical and mental health, as well as, higher unmet healthcare needs than PSRs. GARs are among the most vulnerable refugees; they report higher needs, more complex medical conditions and tend to have more difficulty re-settling. These factors likely combine to help explain lower self-reported health and higher health needs in our sample compared to PSRs. © 2018, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Author Keywords

Mental health Syrian refugees Physical health Canada Healthcare access and health needs

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85049121133&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-018-0780-z&partnerID=40&md5=e3ab1427fdfce3f19ea9d69fac649a7f
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-018-0780-z
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English