[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/brucenewbold.jpg” caption=”Bruce Newbold”]Each year, more than 3,000 immigrants move to Hamilton, placing it in the top five immigration centers in Canada. While settlement and employment is usually at the top of their “to do” list, health issues typically get put on hold, say McMaster researchers, who hope to improve access to this growing sector by tracking the health related services available to them.

“For new immigrants, the process of adjustment to their new environment can be difficult,” says Bruce Newbold, principle investigator of the project and director of the McMaster Institute of Environment and Health. “New arrivals are typically engaged in settlement and employment issues, while health issues often receive less attention. At the same time, new arrivals may not know how to navigate the health system, including where to turn to for help or how to find a doctor. Even amongst health care providers, there may be a lack of awareness of various health care and social services in the community that are available.”

Funded by the Center of Excellence for Research on Immigration and Settlement, geographers Bruce Newbold, John Eyles, Kathi Wilson and Steve Birch will map the distribution of health and health related services relative to the immigrant population. Using a Geographic Information System (GIS) – they will create an 'inventory' of formal and informal organizations within Hamilton that contribute to health and provide services to the immigrant population. In addition, potential 'demand' for services will be mapped, referencing the location of immigrant groups throughout the City, along with their demographic and socioeconomic profiles. Together, these two components enable comparisons between residential and service locations. That is, is there a spatial 'mismatch' between provider and residential location? The results of this inventory will be made available to the community and individual users.

“Hamilton is home to a substantial immigrant population,” Newbold says. “In addition to the well-established Italian and Portuguese communities, Hamilton's immigrant community continues to grow. Some of the largest immigration flows originate in China and Vietnam, with others arriving from the former Yugoslavia, Vietnam, China, Pakistan, India, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Somalia.”

The researchers are affiliated with the McMaster Institute of Environment and Health. As they move forward with the project, they ask for public input on the location of health service providers. To provide input contact Bruce Newbold at newbold@mcmaster.ca.