Population migration and mobility owing to climate change, global conflict or economic trends is an underlying factor in the emergence of public health risks that Canada must manage.
Data often links the movements of refugees, migrant workers, and evacuees with disease emergence in low prevalence or non-endemic areas through rapid, high volume or seasonal migration patterns. Population movements—from global migration to community displacement—contribute to the emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases in Canada.
As a national leader in infectious diseases public health, NCCID supports knowledge translation in the fast-growing areas of refugee, evacuee, and migrant workers’ health.
Get in touch to learn more or to explore a partnership.
What’s New
Health and social impacts of long-term evacuation due to natural disasters in First Nations communities: A summary of lessons for public health
This summary document by the National Collaborating Centres for Public Health (NCCPH) describes the Long-Term Evacuees Project. It includes lessons learned from community-based research, as well as implications for public health responses to long-term evacuations due to natural disasters.
From the floodwaters: Siksika Nation and the Bow River flood – Insights for public health responses to long-term evacuation
This case study by the National Collaborating Centres for Public Health (NCCPH) explores the evacuation of Siksika Nation following the Bow River flood in 2013. It includes insight into the health and social impacts of the evacuation and the role of public health to support long-term emergency planning and recovery.
Out of the ashes: Ashcroft Indian Band and the Elephant Hill wildfire – Insights for public health responses to long-term evacuation
This case study by the National Collaborating Centres for Public Health (NCCPH) explores the evacuation of Ashcroft Indian Band following the Elephant Hill wildfire in 2017. It includes insight into the health and social impacts of the evacuation, as well as the role of public health to support long-term emergency planning and recovery.
Opportunities for Public Health to Reduce the Burden of COVID-19 among Migrant Agricultural Workers in Canada
Migrant agricultural workers come to Canada annually to help farmers with planting, harvesting, and processing foods. Clusters of community-acquired COVID-19…
Navigating the Canadian health care system: Refugee women’s experience
TRANSCRIPT DON’T SEE PLAYER? // Listen HERE Zeeshan: Welcome to a brand new episode of Infectious Questions, a public health podcast produced by…
Public Health Response and Health Status of Asylum Seekers: A Review of the International Literature and Implications for the Canadian Context
The number of asylum seekers crossing the U.S.–Canada border has seen a significant increase since the U.S. election in November, 2016. In order to aid in establishing an effective public health response, current gaps in knowledge regarding health status, access to health care, and barriers to access of asylum seekers in Canada were identified.
Resources
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.
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
Events
Health and social impacts of long-term evacuation due to natural disasters in First Nations communities: A summary of lessons for public health
This summary document by the National Collaborating Centres for Public Health (NCCPH) describes the Long-Term Evacuees Project. It includes lessons learned from community-based research, as well as implications for public health responses to long-term evacuations due to natural disasters.
From the floodwaters: Siksika Nation and the Bow River flood – Insights for public health responses to long-term evacuation
This case study by the National Collaborating Centres for Public Health (NCCPH) explores the evacuation of Siksika Nation following the Bow River flood in 2013. It includes insight into the health and social impacts of the evacuation and the role of public health to support long-term emergency planning and recovery.
Out of the ashes: Ashcroft Indian Band and the Elephant Hill wildfire – Insights for public health responses to long-term evacuation
This case study by the National Collaborating Centres for Public Health (NCCPH) explores the evacuation of Ashcroft Indian Band following the Elephant Hill wildfire in 2017. It includes insight into the health and social impacts of the evacuation, as well as the role of public health to support long-term emergency planning and recovery.
NCCID hosts the Public Health Agency of Canada Webinars on COVID-19 Vaccines for Health Care Providers
The Public Health Agency of Canada provides webinars for Health Care Providers (HCPs) on COVID-19 vaccines. Webinars are available, and continue…
COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitance: Conversations with Primary Care
This webinar addresses a range of approaches primary care physicians can take in conversations with patients to reduce vaccine hesitancy and improve uptake.
Updates on COVID-19 Variants of Concern
SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, is a virus from the Coronavirus family. Coronaviruses are named after the Latin word, “corona”, meaning…