Societal context and the production of immigrant status-based health inequalities: a comparative study of the United States and Canada.

Background: We compare disparities in health status between first-generation immigrants and others in the United States (US) and Canada.

Methods: We used data from the Joint Canada-US Survey of Health. The regression models adjusted for demographics, socioeconomic status, and health insurance (the US).

Results: In both countries, the health advantage belonged to immigrants. Fewer disparities between immigrants and those native-born were seen in Canada versus the US. Canadians of every immigrant/race group fared better than US native-born Whites.

Conclusions: Fewer disparities in Canada and better overall health of all Canadians suggest that societal context may create differences in access to the resources, environments, and experiences that shape health and health behaviors.