What Happened to the Immigrant Life Satisfaction Gap?

Canadian Public Policy ◽

10.3138/cpp.2020-122 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Frances Woolley

Keyword(s):

Life Satisfaction ◽

Community Health ◽

Health Survey ◽

Canadian Community Health Survey ◽

Immigration Status ◽

Improved Outcomes ◽

Community Health Survey ◽

Survey Designs ◽

Satisfaction Measures

Numerous studies have found that immigrants to Canada are less satisfied with life than comparable Canadian-born individuals. Yet recent data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) suggest that this immigrant satisfaction gap may be disappearing. This article traces the evolution of the immigrant–Canadian born life satisfaction gap from 2009 to 2018 and explores two competing explanations for the declining gap: improved immigrant outcomes and changes to the CCHS design introduced in 2015–2016. The article finds little evidence for the improved outcomes explanation. Indeed, the immigrant satisfaction gap is somewhat illusory—the more substantial gap is between the life satisfaction of White individuals and that of members of certain racialized groups, regardless of immigration status. The 2015–2016 CCHS redesign, however, may be a plausible explanation for the increase in reported life satisfaction. This article provides more evidence that researchers using life satisfaction measures need to be cautious when survey designs change.

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Gambling and Problem Gambling in Canada in 2018: Prevalence and Changes Since 2002: Le Jeu et le Jeu Problématique au Canada en 2018 : Prévalence et Changements Depuis 2002

The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/0706743720980080 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 070674372098008

Author(s):

Robert J. Williams ◽

Carrie A. Leonard ◽

Yale D. Belanger ◽

Darren R. Christensen ◽

Nady el-Guebaly ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Problem Gambling ◽

Community Health ◽

Health Survey ◽

Canadian Community Health Survey ◽

Problem Gamblers ◽

Type Of Gambling ◽

Community Health Survey ◽

Electronic Gambling ◽

Time Periods ◽

Electronic Gambling Machine

Objective: The purpose of this study was to provide an updated profile of gambling and problem gambling in Canada and to examine how the rates and pattern of participation compare to 2002. Method: An assessment of gambling and problem gambling was included in the 2018 Canadian Community Health Survey and administered to 24,982 individuals aged 15 and older. The present analyses selected for adults (18+). Results: A total of 66.2% of people reported engaging in some type of gambling in 2018, primarily lottery and/or raffle tickets, the only type in which the majority of Canadians participate. There are some significant interprovincial differences, with perhaps the most important one being the higher rate of electronic gambling machine (EGM) participation in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The overall pattern of gambling in 2018 is very similar to 2002, although participation is generally much lower in 2018, particularly for EGMs and bingo. Only 0.6% of the population were identified as problem gamblers in 2018, with an additional 2.7% being at-risk gamblers. There is no significant interprovincial variation in problem gambling rates. The interprovincial pattern of problem gambling in 2018 is also very similar to what was found in 2002 with the main difference being a 45% decrease in the overall prevalence of problem gambling. Conclusions: Gambling and problem gambling have both decreased in Canada from 2002 to 2018 although the provincial patterns are quite similar between the 2 time periods. Several mechanisms have likely collectively contributed to these declines. Decreases have also been reported in several other Western countries in recent years and have occurred despite the expansion of legal gambling opportunities, suggesting a degree of inoculation or adaptation in the population.

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Determinants of food insecurity among elderly people: findings from the Canadian Community Health Survey

Ageing and Society ◽

10.1017/s0144686x20002081 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-15

Author(s):

Moses Mosonsieyiri Kansanga ◽

Yujiro Sano ◽

Isaac Bayor ◽

Joseph Asumah Braimah ◽

Abraham Marshall Nunbogu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Community Health ◽

Elderly People ◽

Health Survey ◽

Policy Issue ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Canadian Community Health Survey ◽

Health Concern ◽

Community Health Survey

Abstract Food insecurity among elderly people is a major public health concern due to its association with several health conditions. Despite growing research and implementation of diverse income-based policy measures, food insecurity among elderly people remains a major policy issue in Canada. Additional research could inform food policy beyond strategies that target improving the financial resources of elderly people. Drawing data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (N = 24,930), we explored the correlates of food insecurity among older adults using negative log-log logistic regression techniques. Our findings show that certain categories of elderly people are more prone to food insecurity. These segments include seniors who are visible minorities (OR = 1.29, p < 0.01), live alone (OR = 1.13, p < 0.05), have a very weak sense of community belonging (OR = 1.40, p < 0.001), in poor physical health (OR = 1.20, p < 0.01), and those in lower age and income categories. These findings corroborate previous studies that demonstrate that food insecurity among elderly people is a complex phenomenon influenced by diverse socio-economic factors. In Canada, food security policies targeted at elderly people have largely prioritised poverty alleviation through income support programmes. While these programmes can improve the purchasing power of elderly people, they may not be sufficient in ensuring food security. There is a need to embrace and further investigate an integrated approach that pays attention to other contextual socio-economic dynamics.

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