Grant: Doctoral Award - Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarships

A large proportion of immigrant women living in Canada are born in countries where females are greatly disadvantaged, including countries in Asia, the Middle-East, and Africa. In these countries, baby girls are less likely than boys to survive infancy or maintain health throughout their childhood. For instance, about 4 million excess female deaths occur each year, mainly in Asia and Africa. Girls are also less likely to receive vaccines and regular health care than boys. This has been attributed to cultural preferences for sons, which may influence household decisions like food, schooling, and medical attention, resulting in the nutritional and medical neglect of girls. It is unknown if the female disadvantage in one's home country remains following immigration to Canada, and to what extent it may influence the health of very young girls. My study aim is to see whether there are gender-based differences in the health of Canadian-born infants and children by mother's country of birth. I will look for differences in patterns of vaccinations, doctor's visits and hospital visits, and try to understand whether they may vary for children of immigrant women who have greater English language ability, have lived in Canada for longer, or by her level of education. I will use available administrative health care and immigration data from 2.5 million mother-child pairs, including half a million born to immigrant women to achieve my study aim. The purpose of this study is an essential, yet novel one for Canada, as we are home to one of the largest and most ethnically diverse immigrant populations in the world. Moreover, gender equity is hugely important to Canadians, as well is relevant to other Western countries that similarly receive many immigrants. Results may inform programs aimed at helping newcomer women to Canada and their babies.