Current Health Status of Migrant Farm Workers in Canada

This paper will discuss the Canadian healthcare system compared to the United States healthcare system. Although they’re close in proximity, these two nations have very different health care systems. Each healthcare system has its own difficulties, and is currently trying to find ways to improve. Canada currently uses the Universal Health Care system; which provides healthcare coverage to all Canadian citizens (Canadian Health Care, 2007). The services are executed on both a territorial and provincial basis, by staying within the guidelines that have been enforced by the federal government (Canadian Health Care, 2007).

In order to propogate the knowledge of above determinants and improve health status of Canadians, Health Canada has set up a number of community heath organizations and agencies. The work of these agencies can consist of creating awareness, improving socio-economic status, advocating better working conditions and so on. Unfortunately, many groups such as aboriginal people, recent immigrants and people with disabilities experience challenges in accessing these resources and still cotinue to lead an unhealthy life.

In 1967, Tommy Douglas had a great impact in establishing Canada’s universal health care system which guarantees health care to its residents regardless of factors such as race or ethnicity, religion, income, and age (Tommy Douglas: The Father of Medicare, n.d., para.1). In the 1974 Lalonde Report it emphasizes that health services were only one of the many factors that affect health (A New Perspective On the Health of Canadians, 1974). Others factors which include income, food security, the level of education, shelter, status of health, social status, employment and working conditions, and living conditions also contribute to the status of ones’ health. These factors are known as the social determinants of health or one’s socio-economic status that provide an insight to the health of Canadians.

In Canada, the issue of immigration poverty is at its verge of time. Over the past decade, times have worsened the once thought to be a simple task of immigrating to a prosperous, foreign country like Canada. Has developed into a much more difficult task that few immigrants have the opportunity to pursue. The inflammation of price along with everyday necessities for a family to survive and thrive upon has become ever so challenging and scarce. Unfortunately, this has become the dire reality for many demoralized immigrants in Canada. Poverty in Canada is a very profound political issue for oncoming emigrants or new immigrants. The adverse effects of poverty within Canadian society has ceased the development of immigrants and imposed them on

This bivariate analysis examined the comparisons and similarities between food insecure and food secure households in Canada. Data was collected using Health Canada’s variation of the Household Food Security Survey Module, which identified that 15% of all food insecure households represent a higher socioeconomic background. The public health significance surrounding food insecurity is not limited to Canada, as 29% of households in the United States report 185% above the national poverty line. Incorporating perspectives from only these

Canada is a ‘high-income nation’, possessing industrialized economies, technologically advanced industries, and high per capita income (Kendall et al. 2016: 24). Resulting in Canada much receiving international scrutiny as it has a vast number of individuals living in relative poverty (Kendall et al. 2016: 29). Particularly as many as five million, or one in seven people live in relative poverty in Canada (Kendall et al. 2016: 29). Constituting relative poverty is living below the standard of living relative to the average individual in Canada (Levine-Rasky 2017). In addition, income inequality acts as a social determinant of health (SDH), as it impacts the economic and social conditions of an individual or a community (Raphael 2016:

The immigrant women have greater life expectancy as compared to Canadian born women. [Ontario Immigrant Status Report Chen and Willkins and NG (1996)] and had longer lives without disability and dependency [Chen and NG and Willkins (1996)] .This is further evidenced by findings based on the rate of affected in chronic illness for life threating issues and mobility impairment. Though there are lot of research literature evidencing the reduction of the health advantages of immigrants over time but it can be set as normalizing the health effect to that of Canadian context.. This normalizing effect is due to several factors like diet and physical activity which immigrant changes to that of Canadians and thereby increasing the chances of Canadian chronic diseases. Other factors can be delayed employment and inadequate income. Immigrant women being a sub- population of this group faces almost similar issues but also more aggravated ones. With the increased of feminized immigration in recent years. At present Statistics Canada 2011 display that female immigrants represent 21.2% of total female population. The projected growth as per stat Canada if this trend continues then in 2031 52.3% would be immigrant female with a representation of 27.4% of female population. This increased feminized immigration might pose critical

Public Policies strive to protect all citizens across the nation, includes low-income citizens who often go unrecognized in society. To make sure this happens, legislature has put forth the “The Canada Health Act”, which requires the provincial government to meet certain expectations regarding public-health care and insurance plans. Though this act states that health services are free and accessible facilities, issues arise when citizens need urgent medical attention but appointment are unavailable until weeks later. Many of these poor individuals cannot afford to pay the extra amount to receive faster care as oppose to their rich counterparts.

Poverty rates in Canada have not changed since past 2 decades (Lecture slides). Reasons for hope starts off with Canada's federal and provincial government anti-poverty strategies and programs that help people in poverty and has kept poverty rates from being even higher (Raphael, 2011, pg. 439). Every province offers some types of programs that are receptive, which is better than USA, but not comparable to Nordic countries. Hope is also present that political parties such as NDP, BLOC and Liberal will strengthen Canada's government and lead to many more policies which will reduce poverty (Raphael, 2011, pg.459). In addition, Canada still offers a universal healthcare system accessible to everyone, universal child care and free pharmaceutical for elderly (June 15 Lecture). These programs support and set the foundation for those people who are experiencing extreme poverty and those are low income. Canada also offers the Senate report, House of Commons report and Campaign 2000 report to raise awareness, keep track of rate of poverty and provide recommendations (June 15 Lecture). Health units in Ontario also add on to hope, they provide community health programs, disease prevention strategies and promote healthy lifestyles (June 15 Lecture). These health units are located in many cities such as York

Under Canada’s healthcare system, citizens are provided with primary care and medical treatments, as well as easy access to hospitals, clinics, and any other additional medical services. Regardless of annual income, this system allows all Canadian citizens access to medical services without immediate pay. Canada is fortunate to have a free healthcare plan since this necessity comes at a substantial expense for people living in the United States of America. For instance, the Commonwealth Fund's Health Insurance Survey mentions that “80 million people, around 43% of America's working-age adults, did not go to the doctor or access other medical services because of the cost” (Luhby). Evidently, Canada’s healthcare system is notorious in supporting the demands of the population, and creating a healthy and happy society at a manageable cost.

On the 30th of June 2012, the government of Canada had implemented cuts to the Interin Federal Health; (IFH), which is the health insurance program for refugees in Canada. The refugees were given minimal health coverage until their refugee status was accepted as truth, thus being granted provincial coverage as every Canadian is given. Up till this change Ottawa had covered the cost of drugs, and medical care for refugee claimants until their claims had been accepted as truth. Since the beginning of Canada, immigration has played a crucial part in the growth of the economy, and Canada in general. Yet the health and social benefits they receive have become increasingly restricted. To slash health aid for individuals escaping their native countries

As explained by (Rose, 2013), the Canada Health Act of 1984 ensures all Canadian have access to a publically funded health care system. This means that Canadians who are permanent residents can access health care under OHIP, meaning the government gets billed. A barrier to health care is ensuring the care provided is culturally sensitive . Health care providers are not knowledgeable about a patient’s culture; they may suggest options that are not fitting to the patient’s morals and beliefs. Immigrants represent diverse culture which offers both particular issues in the providing of health care, preventative measures, and early detection of illness. The delivery of health care to Jamaican migrants who come to Canada with issues related to moving must also include needs associated with social determinants of health, not just existence of illness with the Jamaican migrant population. Canadian immigration legislation makes it necessary that all permanent residents, which include immigrants, have an immigration medical exam8. The immigration medical exam is a mandatory part of the immigration application process when competed successfully, is valid for 12 months8. Screening is undertaken to assess possible concern of illness or disease on Canada and to therefore limit the number of health risks entering the country. The purpose is not to provide clinical prevention services and it is

Food insecurity is a major issue in Canada, affecting millions people across the country especially minorities. In 2012, four million Canadians experienced some form of food insecurity (Tarasuk, Mitchell, & Dachner, 2014). This paper aims to focus on how food insecurity affects women and children, and the costs associated with it. The results of food insecurity can be serious mental, and physical health problems for women and children. It shall demonstrate the need for government intervention, job security, prices of food, and public policies to protect low income families. This topic was chosen as it is an issue which often gets overlooked by many middle and upper class Canadians. Often times when people think of starvation, they picture children in Sub-Saharan Africa. The reality is that women and children in Canadian communities are affected by food insecurity daily. Action needs to be taken immediately in order for food insecurity to be fully eradicated, and justice to be achieved.

Social determinants of health are social, economic and physical factors that affect the health of individuals in any given population. There are fourteen social determinants of health but Income is perhaps the most important of these because it shapes living conditions, influences health related behaviors, and determines food security. In Canada, people with lower incomes are more susceptible to disease/ conditions, higher mortality rate, decreased life expectancy and poorer perceived health than people with high incomes. In numerous Canadian studies and reports, there has been more emphasis on health being based on an individual’s characteristics, choices and behaviours, rather than the role that income plays as a social determinant of health. Although Canada has one of the highest income economies in the world and is comprised of a free health care system, many low income families are a burden on the system because of the physical and mental health issues influenced by income insecurity. Low income individuals are heavier users of health care services because they have lower levels of health and more health problems than do people with higher incomes. This essay will address income as a social determinant of health in three key sections: what is known on the issue, why the issue is important and how can health and public policies address the issue. The main theme that runs through the essay is the income related health inequalities among low income groups compared to

Currently there are many problems and flaws with the way the Canadian government’s policies deal with healthcare, income inequality and poverty. Time to time changes in policies have been made, perhaps to improve these issues, however, the gap between rich and poor keeps increasing and there is very little improvement in healthcare and the economy. In fact, healthcare keeps on becoming costly. Major issues like income inequality and poverty are not being taken care of by the government. According to Dr. Raphael (2002) poverty is caused by several reasons such as inequality in people’s income, weak social services and lack of other social supports (p.VI). He states, “Poverty directly harms the health of those with low incomes while income