Migration and Mobility

With the current influx of Syrian refugees to Canada, the National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease (NCCID) is embarking on new knowledge translation to bring current evidence and information to public health practitioners and policy makers.

Get in touch to learn more or to explore a partnership.

REPORT: Public Health Response and Health Status of Asylum Seekers: A Review of the International Literature and Implications for the Canadian Context

Limited data are available on the health status, level of access, and barriers to access to health care of asylum seekers who have entered Canada recently. This population of asylum seekers is unique in that most have spent extended periods of time in the United States, and how they may have impacted the asylum seekers’ health status is largely unknown. Current gaps in knowledge regarding health status, access to health care, and barriers to access of asylum seekers in Canada were identified.

VIDEO: Refugee Intake Recommendations for Physicians

As a quick resource guide for primary care providers, the Halifax Transitional Health Clinic for Refugees (Nova Scotia Health Authority) has developed succinct educational videos on: Initial Assessment, Women’s Health, Cultural Competencies, Mental Health, Immunizations, and Infectious Diseases.

SUMMARY: Screening and Vaccination Guide for Refugee and Immigrant Health

In 2011, the Canadian Medical Association Journal published detailed evidence-based clinical guidelines for immigrants and refugees as a gold standard for clinical and public health practitioners in Canada. NCCID has designed a summarized version as a quick review tool for clinicians. These guidelines, which can help public health stakeholders with planning and program development, provide information on comprehensive screening protocols, culturally appropriate services, and clinical recommendations for infectious diseases including vaccine-preventable illness.

WEBINAR: Data Management/Coordination and Refugee Health

November 16, 2016 presentation about one Ontario city’s recent experience with data management/coordination. The City of Hamilton Public Health Services team was responsible for creating a strategy on the fly, working with several agencies to collect, collate and share such basic data as the names, ages, sex and location/address of refugees, but also vaccination status, health assessment status and dental screening results. Archived copies available upon request.

WEBINAR: Refugee Oral Health: Interim Federal Health Plan Coverage

In this October 2016 presentation, our two presenters delved into refugee oral health, both in children and adults, with key findings from Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

PODCAST: Refugee Oral Health

Oral health and infection prevention is an essential part of public healthcare. The NCCID has developed short podcasts on oral infection in refugees, including unique needs and risk factors, the benefits of universal screening, and the Interim Federal Health Program.

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Major Organizations and Key Links for Refugee Health

• Canadian Pediatric Society: “Caring for Kids New to Canada”
• Canadian Collaboration for Immigrant and Refugee Health (CCIRH)
• Canadian Centre for Refugee and Immigrant Health Care (CCIHC)
• Doctors for Refugee Care
• The College of Family Physicians of Canada: Refugee Healthcare