Research Team: Dr. Frank Trovato (University of Alberta) - Principal Investigator

Research Domain(s): Social

This study is an examination of mortality differences among relatively recent immigrant groups to Canada (e.g. Latin Americans, Asians, Africans) and more established foreign-born communities (e.g. Italians, Germans, British). If the process of adjustment to a new society is stressful and fraught with difficulties, recent immigrants should have higher death rates from types of mortality associated with problems in living, such as suicide, homicide, accidents, and other forms of violence. Mortality due to chronic/degenerative conditions such lung cancer, heart disease, diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver, will also be examined and compared to the death rates in the immigrants’ countries of origin. The study will pay attention to the role of factors in the host society, including group differences in community characteristics, such as their location across the region and metro/non-metro areas, socioeconomic disparities, and demographic characteristics (ii.e. Age, sex, marital status compositions) during 1991. The results of this study should be of value to community associations and public health personnel interested in knowing more about the morbidity and mortality patterns of immigrants. The information from the study can be used to develop appropriate intervention programs.