Are visible minorities “invisible” in Canadian health data and research? A scoping review

Abstract

Purpose Canada’s visible minority population is increasing rapidly, yet despite the demographic significance of this population, there is a surprising dearth of nationally representative health data on visible minorities. This is a major challenge to undertaking research on the health of this group, particularly in the context of investigating racial/ethnic disparities and health disadvantages that are rooted in racialization. The purpose of this paper is to summarize: mortality and morbidity patterns for visible minorities; determinants of visible minority health; health status and determinants of the health of visible minority older adults (VMOA); and promising data sources that may be used to examine visible minority health in future research. Design/methodology/approach A scoping review of 99 studies or publications published between 1978 and 2014 (abstracts of 72 and full articles of 27) was conducted to summarize data and research findings on visible minority health to answer four specific questions: what is known about the morbidity and mortality patterns of visible minorities relative to white Canadians? What is known about the determinants of visible minority health? What is known about the health status of VMOA, a growing segment of Canada’s aging population, and how does this compare with white older adults? And finally, what data sources have been used to study visible minority health? Findings There is indeed a major gap in health data and research on visible minorities in Canada. Further, many studies failed to distinguish between immigrants and Canadian-born visible minorities, thus conflating effects of racial status with those of immigrant status on health. The VMOA population is even more invisible in health data and research. The most promising data set appears to be the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS). Originality/value This paper makes an important contribution by providing a comprehensive overview of the nature, extent, and range of data and research available on the health of visible minorities in Canada. The authors make two key recommendations: first, over-sampling visible minorities in standard health surveys such as the CCHS, or conducting targeted health surveys of visible minorities. Surveys should collect information on key socio-demographic characteristics such as nativity, ethnic origin, socioeconomic status, and age-at-arrival for immigrants. Second, researchers should consider an intersectionality approach that takes into account the multiple factors that may affect a visible minority person’s health, including the role of discrimination based on racial status, immigrant characteristics for foreign-born visible minorities, age and the role of ageism for older adults, socioeconomic status, gender (for visible minority women), and geographic place or residence in their analyses.

Barriers and facilitators to recruitment of South Asians to health research: a scoping review

“… 26 27 However, South Asians are under-represented in research, resulting in healthcare practice based on research with limited external validity for the South Asian context. 28 29 In general, there is a lack of representative population health research comparing minority groups in Canada with European counterparts. 28 This under-representation also occurs elsewhere; a UK-based analysis reported that while South Asians make up 4.5% of the total population, they represented on average only 0.6% of participants in six multicentre randomised controlled trials.…”

Active offer of health services in French in Ontario: Analysis of reorganization and management strategies of health care organizations

“…Today, both language and culture are recognized as the determinants of health and access to health care. 13,14 Linguistic barriers are associated with increased risk of hospital admission, errors in prescribed medication, greater number of reported adverse drug reactions, and lower rates of pain medication. 15 Specifically, lack of comprehension poses a serious limitation on access to health care services, adherence to medication regimens, and consent to essential procedures in older Francophone adults living in a minority situation.…”

“…Today, both language and culture are recognized as the determinants of health and access to health care . Linguistic barriers are associated with increased risk of hospital admission, errors in prescribed medication, greater number of reported adverse drug reactions, and lower rates of pain medication .…”

The utilization of behavioural counselling for hypertension within a primary care context

“…With regards to the Canadian context of this review, research on Indigenous Canadians, visible minorities, and immigrant populations would be salient as close to one-fifth of the Canadian population are members of a visible minority group (Khan, Kobayashi, Lee & Vang, 2015). Furthermore, although research about visible minorities and health is lacking, it is known that certain ethnic groups have a susceptibility to hypertension above others (Khan et al, 2015).…”

“…Furthermore, although research about visible minorities and health is lacking, it is known that certain ethnic groups have a susceptibility to hypertension above others (Khan et al, 2015).…”