Health and service use of newcomers and other adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A population‐based study

Abstract

It is well established that compared to people who remain in their birth country, people who were born elsewhere ('newcomers') are healthier and use fewer healthcare services, a phenomenon known as the 'healthy immigrant effect' (Vang et al., 2015). Less frequent service use may be because newcomers are healthier and/or because of the barriers they encountered when accessing health care in their new home country. Such barriers may include language, complex insurance eligibility, limited pre-arrival health care, vulnerable financial situations (Bhayana, 2018) and cultural attitudes towards healthcare use (Caulford & Mayhew, 2014).

Left behind: newcomer children with disabilities and their families

“…Newcomer parents face challenges accessing needed support for their children due to significant out-of-pocket expenses of healthcare services, communication and language barriers, and transportation limitations ( 3 ). Additionally, research findings suggest that disabled newcomers face challenges related to stigma, barriers in accessing health information and an absence of culturally appropriate care ( 7 ). These challenges lead to delays in seeking and receiving acute and outpatient treatment, which have detrimental impacts ( 7 ).…”

“…Additionally, research findings suggest that disabled newcomers face challenges related to stigma, barriers in accessing health information and an absence of culturally appropriate care ( 7 ). These challenges lead to delays in seeking and receiving acute and outpatient treatment, which have detrimental impacts ( 7 ). In hospital settings, research has shown that mistrust between patients and clinicians further jeopardizes patient care, resulting in fewer families accessing health care when needed ( 8 ).…”