Wellesley Institute

Wellesley Institute works in research and policy to improve health and health equity in the GTA through action on the social determinants of health.

Home Blog Archives for Immigrant and newcomer health

Immigrant and newcomer health

“Can you send someone who speaks my language?” Language barriers among older adults living in Toronto’s social housing

|

This report focuses on older adult tenants with limited English proficiency who live in Toronto’s social housing. Many expressed challenges understanding tenant-related documents and announcements as they were often communicated in English. This made it difficult for tenants to engage with housing staff and participate in their community. For older tenants with limited English proficiency […]

Continue Reading“Can you send someone who speaks my language?” Language barriers among older adults living in Toronto’s social housing  Download PublicationLanguage Barriers Report

A new normal for health coverage

|

Cube wooden toy blocks with medical and first aid kid icon. Concepts of illness treatment and health insurance.

Our current approach to medication, dental care, and extended health coverage is leaving low-income, working-age Canadians behind – in particular racialized, immigrant, and female workers who face significant barriers to good jobs with benefits. With government programs (of varying levels of adequacy) targeted primarily at seniors, children from low-income families, and adults receiving social assistance, […]

Continue ReadingA new normal for health coverage

Research and knowledge mobilization in the GTA’s immigrant and refugee-serving sector: A needs assessment

|

The past few years have been a time of great change in migration research and for the immigrant and refugee-serving sector in the GTA. This needs assessment was conducted in an attempt to understand the impact of  the Joint Centre for Excellence for Research on Immigration and Settlement (CERIS), the effects of COVID-19 on research […]

Continue ReadingResearch and knowledge mobilization in the GTA’s immigrant and refugee-serving sector: A needs assessment  Download PublicationNeeds-Assessment-CKP

Do Syrian refugees perceive improved physical and mental health a year after resettling in Canada?

Andrew Tuck, Anna Oda, Michaela Hynie, Caroline Bennett-Abuayyash, Brenda Roche, Branka Agic, and Kwame McKenzie |

Refugees often deal with many issues that increase their vulnerability to diseases during the migration process. Refugees are extremely resilient people and while there are diagnosed physical and mental health problems that may be higher among some, upon arrival in a host country refugees often report good self-perceived physical and mental health. In our latest […]

Continue ReadingDo Syrian refugees perceive improved physical and mental health a year after resettling in Canada?  Download PublicationDo Syrian refugees perceive improved physical and mental health a year after resettling in Canada?

Primary care utilization trajectories for immigrants and refugees in Ontario

|

A better understanding of differences in health care usage between different admission classes can help to identify which groups may need more targeted supports to facilitate their use of the health care system. This is increasingly important as Canada increases immigration targets and expands refugee sponsorship programs. This study aims to describe primary care utilization […]

Continue ReadingPrimary care utilization trajectories for immigrants and refugees in Ontario  Download PublicationPrimary care utilization trajectories for immigrants and refugees in Ontario compared with long-term residents

Facilitators to accessing primary and preventive care for immigrants and refugees in Canada

|

Immigrants and refugees often have poor access to health care compared to the general population and lower rates of primary care and mental health care use compared to the Canadian-born population. This literature review summarizes key Canadian evidence in facilitating access to primary and preventive health care for immigrants and refugees. The results highlight the […]

Continue ReadingFacilitators to accessing primary and preventive care for immigrants and refugees in Canada  Download PublicationFacilitators to accessing primary and preventive care

Where is the refuge for refugee claimants in Toronto?

|

Tomorrow, hundreds of refugee claimants who sought safety in Toronto must leave the dorms they have been temporarily housed in to make way for returning students. In recent months, there has been much debate around Ontario’s ability to house refugees. And while the recent influx of asylum seekers may have sparked the current debate, Toronto’s […]

Continue ReadingWhere is the refuge for refugee claimants in Toronto?

Ensuring Equitable Access to OHIP Registration for Newborns

|

There have been a number of recent cases of Toronto-area hospitals denying OHIP registration to newborns of parents who do not have permanent resident status. Universal healthcare has been a point of Canadian pride for decades, yet some of our most vulnerable are left without the most basic of coverage, making them susceptible to negative […]

Continue ReadingEnsuring Equitable Access to OHIP Registration for Newborns  Download PublicationEquitable Access to OHIP Registration for Newborns

Using the Law to Advance Health Equity: OHIP Eligibility of Ontario-born Babies of Uninsured Parents

|

When examining the recent cases of Toronto-area hospitals denying OHIP registration to newborns of parents who do not have permanent resident status, Wellesley Institute wanted to better understand the legal rights around qualifying for newborn health coverage. This think piece examines and unpacks the current legal framework outlining eligibility for newborns and identifies gaps between […]

Continue ReadingUsing the Law to Advance Health Equity: OHIP Eligibility of Ontario-born Babies of Uninsured Parents  Download PublicationOHIP Eligibility of Ontario-born Babies of Uninsured Parents

Language Interpretation Services in Health Care Settings in the GTA

Anjum Sultana, Anjana Aery, Nishi Kumar, Nazeefah Laher |

Hospital Doctor With Digital Tablet Talks To Male Patient

Clear communication is critical for the provision of safe, appropriate, and high-quality health care. With the growing linguistic diversity in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) more patients may prefer speaking another language with their health care provider than ever before, but access to language supports is limited. Without adequate support, navigating the health care system […]

Continue ReadingLanguage Interpretation Services in Health Care Settings in the GTA  Download PublicationLanguage Interpretation Services in Health Care Settings in the GTA

Acknowledgement of Traditional Land

We wish to acknowledge this land on which the Wellesley Institute operates. For thousands of years it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.

Revised by the Ceremonial Committee at the University of Toronto Office of Indigenous Initiatives in April 2021.