Caring For The Health of Immigrant Children

Canada is a nation of immigrants.This is particularly evident in Canadian cities with nearly four million people born outside of Canada live in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver alone. Toronto is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. As a place to experience the diversity, Canada has generally performed well: it is a peaceful, multicultural and prosperous. Too often, however, families and immigrant children are experiencing poverty, racism and poor health.

Canada agrees selectively immigrants. Those who successfully pass the selection process tend to be healthy, competent and highly motivated. TPresumably they manage to integrate. PHowever, it is now known that their health is deteriorating after they arrived here. The medical literature shows that minorities, including immigrants, often receive health care and social services of lower quality, and have poorer health outcomes. The medical literature shows That Minorities, Including immigrants, Often Receive Health Care and Social Services of lower quality, and outcomes Have Poor Health. They are less likely to visit a doctor or a dentist regularly, or have a regular provider. They Are Likely to visit less a doctor or a dentist Regularly, or Have a regular provider. Adult immigrants are more likely to be unemployed or to be overqualified for their jobs, even if they have a university degree, and just half of the children of families of recent imigrants living in poverty. Adult immigrants are more Likely to Be Unemployed To Be or overqualified for Their Jobs, Even If They Have a university degree, and just half of the children of families of recent imigrants living in Poverty.

If we talk about the health of Canadian children, it is important to keep in mind that one child in five is an immigrant or child of immigrant parents. If we talk about the Health of Canadian children, it IS important to keep in mind That One child in five gold Is An immigrant child of immigrant parents. The health of immigrant children is clearly a priority if we want all Canadian children reach their full potential. The Health of immigrant children a priority IS Clearly if we want all Canadian children Their reach full potential.

For now, we are not doing enough. For now, we are not doing enough. Different experiences, but similar needs different experiences similar goal Needs

Every child needs generally similar for healthy development: a loving family, a safe and healthy, nutritious food, education and access to health care. Every Child Needs Generally similar for healthy development: a loving family, a safe and healthy, nutritious food, education and access to Health Care. For immigrant children, those needs may be more difficult to fill. For immigrant children, Those Needs May Be more difficulty to fill.

Immigrant children may come home with health problems not covered in their home countries, not to speak English or French, have different beliefs about health and illness and different expectations of the health system. Immigrant Children May Come home with Health Problems not Covered in Their Home Countries, not to speak French or Franais, Have different Beliefs about Health and Illness and different expectations of the Health System. Even the climate may be completely foreign to them. Even the climate May Be Completely foreign to 'em. For refugees, often fleeing hunger, violence and chaos in their country of origin, the difficulties are even greater. For Refugees, Often Fleeing hunger, violence and chaos in Their Country of Origin, The Difficult Even are greater.

After arriving in Canada, immigrant children may be in a place where the crime rate is high, the transport is poor, and where stores that sell affordable and familiar foods are scarce. After Arriving in Canada, immigrant children in a place May Be Where the crime rate is High, the transport is poor, and blind Where That sell affordable and familiar foods are scarce. Their parents may have to work long hours for low wages, sometimes occupying more than one job at a time, reducing the time spent with family. Their Parents May Have To work long hours for low Wages, occupying Sometimes More than one job at a time, Reducing the Time Spent with family. The family must adjust to a new school system and find caregivers they trust. The family must adjust to a new school system and find caregivers THEY trust. In all cases, there is an intense period of adjustment to the new country in which attention could be paid less than optimal health issues common. In all boxes, There Is a year i ntense period of Adjustment to the new country in Which Could Be careful Paid Less Than Optimal Health from common.

Despite these challenges, many immigrant children adapt and do well. Despite challenges thesis, Many immigrant children do well and adapted. But too often, the needs of immigrant children are not well met. But too Often, the immigrant children of Needs are not well met.

As a society, how can we develop systems of support for immigrant families that meet our quality health care? As a society, How Can We develop systems of support for immigrant families That Meet Our Quality Health Care?

The label "immigrant" encompasses a variety of backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures and countries. The label "immigrant" encompasses a Variety of backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures and Countries. Some immigrants are rich, some not, some have had to face long periods of deprivation, while others are well fed and received care and quality education. Some immigrants are rich, not Some, Some Have Had to face long period of deprivation, while Others are well fed and Received care and quality education. Most are here by choice, but some others, for example, refugees are here because they can not stay in their home country. Most are here by choice, Some Other purpose, for example, Refugees are here Because THEY Can not stay in Their home country. To improve care, we must consider these factors. To Improve Care, We Must Consider thesis factors. There is no universal solution. There Is No universal solution. Beyond language: appropriate care to the culture Beyond language: Culturally Appropriate Care

Patients who do not speak English should have access to competent interpreters to enable them to understand their carer and vice versa. Patients Who Do not speak Franais Should Have Access to competent interpreters to enable Them to Understand Their carer and vice versa. However, language is only the starting point. However, Language is only the starting point. People of different cultures may also have belief systems on health very different; beliefs and expectations about health, illness and treatment. People of different cultures aussi May Have Health Belief systems on very different; Beliefs and expectations about Health, Illness and Treatment. A mismatch between the models of health beliefs can lead to misunderstandings or disagreements, resulting in poor treatment compliance and monitoring ineffective. A mismatch models of Between the Health Belief Can lead to misunderstanding or disagreement, Treatment Resulting in poor compliance and ineffective monitoring.

This is especially true for chronic diseases like diabetes, which must be managed over time with both medications and lifestyle changes. This is Especially true for chronic diseases like diabetes, Which Must Be Both managed over time with medications and lifestyle exchange. To effectively manage diabetes, patients and families need to understand and use a large amount of information: the effect of high sugar levels and low on the body, the effect of food, exercise and the insulin on blood sugar, how to give insulin injections, how to measure sugar levels, the meaning of the ups and downs of blood sugar, and what constitutes an emergency. To Effectively manage diabetes, patients and families Need to Understand and use a large Amount of information: the effect of high and low Sugar Levels on the body, the effect of food, exercise and insulin on the blood sugar, how to Give insulin injections, how to measure sugar Levels, The Meaning of the ups and downs of blood sugar, and Wha t Constitut year emergency.

In turn, an understanding of this information means to integrate them into a belief system that lasted a lifetime. In turn, an understanding of this information means clustering to integrate Them Into a Belief Systems That Lasted a Lifetime. In some cases, this information interfere with the set of beliefs. In Some Cases, this information interferes with the set of Belief. As a simple example, the belief that "sugary foods are bad for health" is potentially dangerous for a child with hypoglycemia, but it is still common in our culture. As a simple example, the Belief That "sugary foods are bad for health" is Potentially dangerous for a child with hypoglycemia, But It Is Still common in our culture. Families from different cultures may have other beliefs that impact also marked on the treatment, and these beliefs must be recognized and addressed. Families from different cultures Other Beliefs That May Have Impact on the marked-aussi Treatment, and thesis and Beliefs Must Be A ddressed reconnu.

In extreme cases, patients and carers may decide that all the other "wrong" or is "stubborn" about the disease, leading to frustration on both sides, and most importantly , poor disease control. In extreme boxes, patients and carers decide That May all the other "wrong" or is "stubborn" about the disease, Leading to frustration on Both Sides, and MOST importantly, poor disease control. Caregivers should take the time to examine the beliefs of their patients about the disease, to discover how they compare to their own beliefs, and addressing any incompatibility. Caregivers Should Take the time to examine the Beliefs of Their patients about the disease, to discover how to compare THEY Their Own Beliefs, and Addressing Any Incompatibility. At the same time, society in general and health facilities in particular must recognize the need for culturally appropriate care and advocate. At the Same time, society in general and in Particular Health Facilities Must Recognize the Need fo r Culturally Appropriate Care and advocate. Beyond the walls of the hospital support networks and formal Beyond the walls of the hospital and formal support networks

Social support networks, both formal and informal, are essential to the health of children and family. Social support networks, formal and informal Both, are essential to the Health of Children and Family. Indeed, a strong network of social ties does not mean only to have someone in a crisis, it is a resource for child care, employment, or places to buy food and get to known knowledge systems mixtures as the school system. Indeed, a strong network of social ties Does not mean only to Have Someone In a crisis, it IS a resource for child care, employment, or places to buy food and get to knowledge systems mixtures Known as the school system. Many new immigrants need resources like this to adjust to a new country, but left most of their support network or friends, colleagues and extended family behind. Many new immigrants Need resources like this to adjust to a new country, aim left MOST of Their support network or friends, colleagues and extended family behind.

In Toronto and other cities, social service agencies are part of the formal network of support. In Toronto and Other cities, Social Service Agencies are Part of the formal network of support. Many of them offer their services to immigrant communities in particular, although this is not all communities that have a corresponding body. Many of Them Their offer services to immigrant Communities in Particular, although This Is Not all Communities That Have A Corresponding body. By helping communities with employment, language training and housing, social services agencies play an important role in helping new immigrants during their transition to life in a new country. By Helping Communities with Employment, housing and language training, social services Agencies play important role in year Helping new immigrants transition to life DURING Their in a new country. By immigrant families in contact with others, they can help the development of informal support networks. By immigrant families in contact with Others, They Can Help the development of informal support networks.

The social support networks may also have more direct effects on health. The social support networks aussi May Have More direct effects on health. A social service agency or another immigrant family can be the first point of contact for a parent whose child is sick. A social service agency or Another immigrant family Can Be the first point of contact for a parent Whose child is sick. If the family of a child with a chronic health condition does not trust the health care team, a religious leader or community can play the important role of advocate and mediator. If the family of a child with a chronic health condition Does not trust the Health Care Team, a Religious leader or the community Can Play important role of advocate and mediator. Employment for new immigrants Employment for new immigrants

Immigrants are more conducive to having a university degree than Canadians born in Canada, many immigrants also have graduate degrees or professional. Immigrants are more Conducive to Than Having a university degree Canadians born in Canada, immigrants Also Have Many graduate degrees or professional. Unfortunately, immigrants often fail to find a job that matches their skills and their motivation when they arrive in Canada, which in turn means they are less likely to get a job with health benefits and sick leave, and more likely to lose a day's wages if they take leave to care for a sick child. Unfortunately, immigrants Often fail to find a job That matches Their skills and Their motivation When They arrive in Canada, Which in turn means clustering They Are less Likely to get a job with Health Benefits and sick leave, and more Likely to lose a day's Wages if THEY take leave to care for a sick child. They also have fewer opportunities for job training and career advancement. Theys aussi Have Fewer Opportunities for job training and career advancement. In 2007, the unemployment rate among immigrants aged 25 to 49 years was 6.6% compared to 4.6% for those born in Canada. In 2007, the Unemployment Rate Among immigrants aged 25 to 49 years Compared to WAS 6.6% 4.6% For Those born in Canada.

A smile and a pat on the back does not clear enough to welcome immigrants. A smile and a pat on the back Does not Clear Enough to welcome immigrants. Canada must continue to strive to identify and break down the barriers that immigrants face when they try to find a job, including the recognition of foreign credentials, support professionals trained to upgrade their skills and use their training in Canada, and lobbying employers to hire skilled immigrants. Canada must continue to Strive to Identify and break down the Barriers That immigrants face When They try to find a job, Including the recognition of foreign credentials, media professionals trained training to upgrade skills and Their use Their training in Canada, and lobbying to hire skilled Employers immigrants. Immigrants are not the only people who will benefit, employers will also benefit from diversity, as well as their customers and their patients. Immigrants are not the only people Who Will Benefit, Employers Will Also Benefit from diversity, as well as Their Customers and Their Patients. The challenges are not limited to immigrant children are not limited The challenges to immigrant children

Immigrant children face health problems, but they are not alone. Immigrant children face Health Problems, They Are Not Alone goal. We can not forget other disadvantaged groups such as Aboriginal children, children living in poverty, children with chronic illnesses or disabilities and children whose parents have drug addictions or serious mental health problems. We Can not Forget Other Disadvantaged Such groups as Aboriginal children, children living in Poverty, Children with Chronic Illness or Disabilities and Children Whose Parents Have Serious drug addiction or Mental Health problems.

Without support, these children can not reach their full potential. Without support, thesis Can not Reach Their children full potential. They are less likely to succeed in school and more likely to live in poverty. They Are Likely to Succeed in less school and more Likely to Live in Poverty. Instead of trying to solve these problems in 20 years, we have to prevent now. Instead of Trying to solve Problems in thesis 20 years, We Have to Prevent now. Canada needs a national strategy for poverty reduction, better support systems and funding sources for education and early childhood care and more opportunities in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Canada needs a national strategy for poverty reduction, better support systems and Funding sources for education and early childhood care and more opportunities in Disadvantaged Neighborhoods. If children can not develop optimally, we all lose. If Children Can not Develop optimally, we all lose.

As a society, institutions and individuals, we must continue to be sensitive to the needs of disadvantaged children. As a society, institutions and Individuals, we must continue to Be Sensitive to the Needs of Disadvantaged Children. We must also continue to work with underrepresented communities to address their needs. We must continue to work with aussi underrepresented Communities to Address Their Needs. Any solution that we could get under the partnership. Any solution That We Could Get Under the partnership.

Denis Daneman, MB, BCh, FRCP (C) is a pediatrician in chief at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), chairman of the department of pediatrics at the University of Toronto and chair of pediatrics at the RS McLaughlin Foundation. Denis Daneman, MB, BCh, FRCP (C) Is A pediatrician in chief at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), chairman of the department of pediatrics at the University of Toronto and chair of pediatrics at the RS McLaughlin Foundation. He is a specialist in pediatric endocrinology, and his research interests include diabetes, insulin resistance, eating disorders and the provision of health care. He Is a specialist in pediatric endocrinology, and His Research Interests include diabetes, insulin resistance, Eating Disorders and the provision of Health Care.

Archive Archive of pediatricians in the area of the corner of Pediatricians

Elizabeth Lee Ford-Jones, MD, FRCP (C) is a specialist in infectious diseases and clinical researcher at The Hospital for Sick Children and professor of pediatrics at the University of Toronto. Elizabeth Lee Ford-Jones, MD, FRCP (C) Is A specialist in infectious diseases and clinical researcher at The Hospital for Sick Children and professor of pediatrics at the University of Toronto. She is co-editor of Paediatrics and Child Health, the official journal of the Canadian Paediatric Society. She is co-editor of Paediatrics and Child Health, the official journal of the Canadian Paediatric Society. She also participated in the design of the book of the Canadian Paediatric Society, care guide for children and young new Canadians. She participated in the design aussi of the book of the Canadian Paediatric Society, care guide for children and young new Canadians.

0