By Christina Marchant and
Émilie Sartoretto, Centretown CHC
When newcomers arrive in our communities, they are generally in better health than the Canadian-born population. But, over time, this health advantage, the “healthy immigrant effect,” tends to wear away and newcomers’ health status decreases, becoming more in line with the average Canadian’s.
While some health issues are age-related, the stress of settlement and integration accounts for other health problems. Newcomers often face a lack of suitable employment, increased poverty, adverse mental health effects and an inability to pay for health coverage not available through the public health system.
The overall lack of stability and wellness among newcomers, immigrants and refugees alike, contributes to their deteriorating health. They often lack social support networks and are falling into long-term disadvantage, including becoming socially excluded and working in unsafe work environments. And there are other areas affecting their personal and family health – adequate housing, food security, education, and community integration – that need to be considered as part of a comprehensive health approach.
Across Canada, more than one-third of recent immigrants are considered poor. Research consistently shows the links between income levels and people and communities’ health. It suggests that people with lower incomes are more likely to be unhealthy.
At the most fundamental level, employment and sufficient income allow people to afford life’s basic necessities such as healthy
food and a safe place to call home.
As community health centres (CHCs), we pride ourselves on our ability to respond to the needs of our communities. Being in tune locally means that centres are well positioned to provide appropriate services to a diverse clientele. With newcomers accounting for an increasing share of those we serve, we have been proactive in developing and maintaining programs and services that are appropriate and address particular needs.
At the Centretown Community Health Centre (Centretown CHC), a tailored new Canadians’ medical clinic was designed to provide medical services in a way that’s accessible to people who are new to Canada. The Somerset West Community Health Centre (Somerset West CHC) works in partnership with The Wellness Centre for Refugees to screen refugees for communicable diseases, provide vaccinations and arrange referrals to primary care physicians.
But health and wellness go well beyond providing medical services. We’re not just there to fix people when they’re sick. We’re always there to support people so they stay healthy. Community health centres also offer programming that focuses on the social aspects of good health and wellness.
By striving to break down barriers and the isolation that some immigrants can feel, we focus on healthy and active living as a way to help newcomers stay in their homes and avoid hospitalization.
Some programming is ongoing, like the Yet Keen Seniors’ Day Centre that the Somerset West
CHC offers at the Bronson Centre.
It provides opportunities for seniors to participate in recreational and fitness exercise programs. Among its goals, it strives to help isolated seniors sustain physical, mental and social well-being, and maintain their independence in their home environments.
Centres also develop programming as needs and demands arise throughout the year, from grocery store tours to English conversational groups.
But we can’t do it alone. We work in close collaboration with our partners in settlement agencies to design and deliver programs. For example, Centretown CHC worked with Immigrant Women Services Organization and Ottawa Chinese Community Services Centre to develop Better Health Better Living, a health promotion program for very isolated Cantonese, Spanish, and Arabic speaking seniors
Ultimately, community health centres are an open door that leads to many more: get in touch with us, and we’ll help you access the services you need.
That’s why our multicultural outreach workers go into our communities, where people live, work and play, to tell newcomers about available services and programs.
This column is a collaboration between the Centretown and Somerset West Community Health Centres (CHCs). They provide a full range of health and social services to individuals and families. Through leadership and support, they foster the active participation of individuals and groups in a common effort to build healthier communities.