Canadian Journal of Public Health
Volume 93, Issue 2, 2002, Pages 118-122

The impact of policy changes on the health of recent immigrants and refugees in the Inner City. A qualitative study of service providers' perspectives (Article)

Steele L.S.* , Lemieux-Charles L. , Clark J.P. , Glazier R.H.
  • a Inner City Health Research Unit, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, Ont. M5B 1W8, Canada
  • b Inner City Health Research Unit, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, Ont. M5B 1W8, Canada
  • c Inner City Health Research Unit, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, Ont. M5B 1W8, Canada
  • d Inner City Health Research Unit, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, Ont. M5B 1W8, Canada

Abstract

Background: Dramatic changes to health and social policy have taken place in Ontario over the last five years with few attempts to measure their impact on health outcomes. This study explored service providers' opinions about the impact of four major policy changes on the heath of recent immigrant and refugee communities in Toronto's inner city. Methods: Semi-structured key informat interviews. Results: Reductions in funding for welfare, hospitals and community agencies were seen to have had major effect of newcomers. Emergent themes included erosion of the social determinants of health, reduced access to health care, increased need for advocacy, deterioration in mental health, and an increase in wife abuse. Conclusions: Several areas were identified where policy were perceived to have had a negative impact on the health of recent immigrants and refugees. This study provides insights for policy-makers, inner-city planners and researchers conducting population-based studies of immigrant health.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

immigrant refugee Hospitals, Public health care policy Community Health Services human Refugees health service social aspect controlled study health status patient right Urban Health Services financial management mental health care Prescription Fees interview Humans Canada population research social welfare Article city Ontario health care access Emigration and Immigration Health Policy hospital family violence Delivery of Health Care
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0036098802&partnerID=40&md5=5af333c26ba6f211a2667c817d572b0b
ISSN: 00084263
Cited by: 38
Original Language: English