Intergenerational impact of immigrants' selection and assimilation
on health outcomes of children
by Nina Ahmed
Business and Labour Market Analysis Division
Analytical Studies Branch research paper series, No. 247
Context
Health is the most desirable outcome among all of the child development
outcomes as it is linked with all other outcomes. Illness hampers the
realization of economic potential and poses an economic burden for the
child as well as for the society. Since the health of a child is the
foundation of socio-economic success and prosperity, research on health
status of children of immigrant families in Canada would provide useful
information for child development programs and policies.
Objectives
The central objective of this study is to examine the relationship
of the health outcomes of children and immigrants' assimilation
and selection in Canada.
Findings
The National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY) data
suggest that the health outcomes of children in the immigrant families
in general are similar to that in the Canadian-born group.
However, the health outcomes of the Asian immigrant group are slightly
lower and those of the American immigrant group are markedly better.
Except for the American immigrant group, there is evidence that the
children of any other immigrant group would have lower health status
for the same level of resources.
Decomposition results indicate that a higher level of observable and
unobservable resources is responsible for markedly better outcomes for
the American immigrant group; while a lower level of observable and
unobservable resources is responsible for the lower level of outcomes
for the Asian immigrant group.
On the other hand, health outcomes are higher for the European immigrant
group than for the Canadian-born group when variation in resources is
considered, while lower when variation in productivity coefficients
is examined.
Finally, there is statistical evidence that the health status of children
of immigrant families would improve with the time of residency of immigrant
parents, if it were lower initially. The findings of the study indicate
that present health outcomes of children in the immigrant families,
on average, are not a great concern. However, those of the Asian immigrant
group may be a concern.
Data Sources: National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY).
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