title: Ethnicity and postmigration health trajectory in new immigrants to Canada.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this prospective cohort study, we examined the trajectory of general health during the first 4 years after new immigrants' arrival in Canada. We focused on the change in self-rated health trajectories and their gender and ethnic disparities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were derived from the Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada and were collected between April 2001 and November 2005 by Statistics Canada. We used weighted samples of 3309 men and 3351 women aged between 20 and 59 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At arrival, only 3.5% of new immigrants rated their general health as poor. Significant and steady increases in poor health were revealed during the following 4 years, especially among ethnic minorities and women. Specifically, we found a higher risk of poor health among West Asian and Chinese men and among South Asian and Chinese women than among their European counterparts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Newly arrived immigrants are extremely healthy, but the health advantage dissipates rapidly during the initial years of settlement in Canada. Women and minority ethnic groups may be more vulnerable to social changes and postmigration settlement.
authors: Social and Epidemiological Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Il-Ho
authors: IH
authors: Kim
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Carrasco
authors: Carles
authors: C
authors: Muntaner
authors: Kwame
authors: K
authors: McKenzie
authors: Samuel
authors: S
authors: Noh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors