Immigrants have less health care access than native born Americans,Canadians

Carol Forsloff - While there are
protests that immigrants abuse health systems, it turns out that a new
research study of both Canada and the United States, reveal in both
countries immigrants get less health care access than natives.


Both countries take in large numbers of immigrants, but the immigrant population
has been found to have less access to health care professionals and tests that are considered routine to rule out certain diseases and conditions.  The study is presently
in the journal Health Services research.


As an example, fewer immigrants to Canada have Pap tests than
native-born Canadians or immigrants to the United States, but fewer U.S.
immigrants have a regular treating physician and an annual health
checkup in comparison with those Americans born in the country.


These facts are true despite the fact Canada has universal health care
and the United States relies predominantly on insurance.  Even for the
insured, the problem remains the cultural differences.


Researchers tell us this accentuates the importance of having
culturally sensitive approaches to the provision of medical care.