Multicultural Health

Research has shown that immigrants to Canada have difficulty accessing health care for a variety of reasons. Beliefs and attitudes of the cultural group toward the perceived risk of health issues is one example. Systemic barriers, such as language, that are created within health care institutions also contribute to the difficulties. Socioeconomic factors also play a role and the ability to access transportation is one example.

Locally, the Community Partners for Multicultural Health has been working to improve access to health services for immigrants using a variety of methods and with the support of various funding partners through the years that have included, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Green Shield of Canada, Cancer Prevention Network, Heart Action and Canadian Heritage.

Community Partners for Multicultural Health have been working successfully and intensively for the last 3 years, implementing activities that focus on a) newcomers/immigrants and b) health care service providers. Our activities for newcomers/immigrants have been successful in providing information on how to access health services and in involving immigrants in the design of activities. The education workshops that we have provided, many in partnerships with other organizations, have built the knowledge capacity of individual service providers to improve their communication with newcomers and immigrants and to become more culturally competent.