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Societal context and the production of immigrant status-based health inequalities: A comparative study of the United States and Canada

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Abstract

Background: We compare disparities in health status between first-generation immigrants and others in the United States (US) and Canada. Methods: We used data from the Joint Canada–US Survey of Health. The regression models adjusted for demographics, socioeconomic status, and health insurance (the US). Results: In both countries, the health advantage belonged to immigrants. Fewer disparities between immigrants and those native-born were seen in Canada versus the US. Canadians of every immigrant/race group fared better than US native-born Whites. Discussion: Fewer disparities in Canada and better overall health of all Canadians suggest that societal context may create differences in access to the resources, environments, and experiences that shape health and health behaviors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Room 566, Toronto, M5T 3M7, ON, Canada

    Arjumand Siddiqi

  2. Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Box 359455, Seattle, 98195, WA, USA

    India J Ornelas

  3. Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, McGavran-Greenberg, CB# 7435, Chapel Hill, 27599, NC, USA

    Kelly Quinn & Quynh C Nguyen

  4. Department of Sociology, University of British Columbia, 2329 West Mall, Vancouver, V6T 1Z1, BC, Canada

    Dan Zuberi

Authors
  1. Arjumand Siddiqi
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  2. India J Ornelas
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  3. Kelly Quinn
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  4. Dan Zuberi
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  5. Quynh C Nguyen
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Correspondence to Arjumand Siddiqi.

Additional information

The authors find fewer disparities and better overall health in Canada and suggest that societal context affects the differences in health outcomes.

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Siddiqi, A., Ornelas, I., Quinn, K. et al. Societal context and the production of immigrant status-based health inequalities: A comparative study of the United States and Canada. J Public Health Pol 34, 330–344 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1057/jphp.2013.7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/jphp.2013.7

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