Primary Health Care with Immigrant and Refugee Populations: Issues and Challenges

Abstract

Ontario's community health centres (CHCs) are leaders in providing community based health care programs and services. One of the primary objectives of the CHC program is to promote access to health care for populations that have traditionally experienced barriers for reasons such as language, culture and age, or for populations that are at high risk for illness such as persons living in poverty or those who are homeless. Funded by the provincial Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Access Alliance Multicultural Community Health Centre is located in downtown Toronto, and is mandated to work specifically with immigrants and refugees to promote health and better access to health care. This paper describes the complexity of issues facing newcomers, the Centre's programs and services, as well as the organisation's struggle to define its role and value within the health and social service sector and to newcomer communities.