All-cause and cause-specific hospitalization rates among temporary and permanent residents living in Canada: A linkage study.

Abstract

Objective: Increased understanding of migrant health outcomes is important for health policy and planning and to support continuity of care for Canadian newcomers. The objective of this study is to expand on previous migrant health research by examining age-standardized hospitalization rates (ASHR) among temporary residents (TRs) and permanent residents (PRs) living in Canada from 2014 to 2018.

Methods: Hospitalization outcomes were obtained by linking administrative health databases to the Longitudinal Immigration Database. TRs and PRs were characterized by covariates including age, sex, migration category, and immigration status transition. All-cause and select cause-specific ASHRs were calculated, including hospitalizations for cancer, injury, and mental and health conditions.

Results: All-cause ASHRs were lower among TRs than among PRs, with variations observed within specific migration categories. Among TRs, the ASHR was highest for temporary foreign workers. Workers had the highest ASHR for cancer and injury, while asylum claimants had the highest ASHR for mental health conditions. Among PRs, ASHRs were highest for refugees overall and for all specific causes examined. People who transitioned from TR to PR status had higher ASHRs overall compared to those who did not.

Conclusion: Observed ASHR differences between TRs and PRs, and among those with immigration status transitions and within specific migration categories, may be related to selection criteria by migrant stream, differential access to healthcare resources, preventive health behaviours, and different exposures influencing health needs. Additional research on characteristics associated with migrant health can inform post-arrival health planning and continuity of care.