Grant: Project Grant

The world is facing an unprecedented level of migration due to violence and persecution with many countries struggling to develop best models for resettling refugees. In response to the recent Syrian refugee crisis, Canada opened its doors to over 40,000 refugees over an eighteen month period using in part its unique refugee resettlement program in which private citizens are responsible for early resettlement. Navigating the healthcare system is one important early resettlement process with repercussions for many long term health and social outcomes, yet little is known about how well primary healthcare needs are met across refugee resettlement models. In many provinces, specialized community health centres focus on vulnerable populations including refugees, and these and other primary care models often include broader mental health and social service support. How well these interdisciplinary models are accessed by refugees and whether this changes health and social outcomes is not well studied. We will use population-based data to study how refugees arriving in Ontario from 2008-2017 are accessing the primary care system. We will assess whether privately sponsored refugees have similar outcomes to those who are government assisted and we will also study whether the large number of Syrian refugees that needed resettlement services had their primary healthcare needs met. In addition, we will analyze whether refugees who seek primary care in community health centers are more likely to have recommended visits such as for cancer screening and less need for sustained social assistance. We have involved provincial and federal policymakers, as well as community organizations and private citizens in the conduct of the project so that our analyses are relevant and communicated to those who can act on the results. We want our research to enable federal and provincial policymakers to better meet the healthcare needs of refugees.