Population-Based Analysis to Inform Policy and Practice

This project builds on the team’s solid track records in using population-based analyses and mixed methods contextual analyses to explicate preventable health inequities experienced by immigrant communities in Canada. Consultations with migrant community partners, the national Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Youth Health Advisory, and other groups have identified two main priority areas: mental health (all ages) and sexual health (youth), along with food insecurity, discrimination, and other social determinants of health that can influence these priority health issues. Large-scale, regularly repeating health surveys in Canada create the opportunity to identify trends in health disparities among migrant populations.

1. What are 20-year trends in sexual and mental health outcomes among migrant youth in Western Canada?
2. Is there evidence that BC Ministry of Education policy changes have improved the social safety net for homestay students?
3. What social determinants of health may explain sexual health and mental health inequities for migrant youth populations, particularly for marginalized migrant youth populations?
4. How common is food insecurity and unemployment among immigrants and refugees living with mental health issues and/or addiction disorders?

Mixed-methods approach that involves analyses of existing population-based health surveys from both provincial in-depth repeating surveys such as the British Columbia Adolescent Health Surveys, similar national surveys such as the Health Behaviour of School-Age Children Survey and, for adults, the Canadian Community Health Survey; and the potential to repeat some of these analyses with international surveys in Europe (Health Behaviour in School-aged Children [HBSC] from other countries). The population survey analyses will be followed by qualitative research, in which we present the findings to members of the target populations in focus groups to explore the contexts and perspectives that can help explain the findings, and elicit recommendations for practice and policy changes based on these results. This is part of the research team's commitment to “nothing about us without us” participatory approaches.

• Community gardening for cultural food security and mental wellbeing: A mixed methods research with newcomer youth and seniors in Canada

The project is ongoing. Analyses using both the BC Adolescent Health Survey and the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) are underway. Advisory group meetings with interested populations have been held. Preliminary findings and publications are in progress.

Publications and media

“The Morning Edition – Saskatoon with Adam Hunter: A new study highlights the gaps in sexual health education and services for teens new to Canada,” radio interview with E. Saewyc, September 23, 2025.

Ji, D., Rana, M., Coronel-Villalobos, M., Hammami, N., & Saewyc, E. (2025). Sexual health behavior trends in a nationally representative sample of Canadian migrant adolescents from 2014 to 2022 (external link) . BMC public health, 25(1), 3006. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23966-9

Past events and conferences: 

• “The Perception Gap: Sexual health among trans and nonbinary vs. cisgender peers in Western Canada,” presented by E. Saewyc at From Awareness to Action: Advancing Sexual Health Promotion, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland, June 26, 2025.
• “Sexual behaviours among sexual minority migrant adolescents in Western Canada over 20 years,” presented by Marie Louise Umwangange, Health Promotion Annual Conference, Galway, Ireland, 26 June, 2025
• “Is it getting better? Trends in sexual behaviours among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and mostly heterosexual (LGB+) adolescents in Western Canada,” presented by M. Rana at From Awareness to Action: Advancing Sexual Health Promotion, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland, June 26, 2025.
• “Enacted Stigma, Suicidal Outcomes, and Protective Factors Among Sexual Minority South Asian Youth in Canada: Findings from BC Adolescent Health Survey, 2023,” presented by M. Rana at the World Anti-Bullying Conference, Stavanger, Norway, June 11–13, 2025.
• “Sexual health behaviours of migrant youth,” poster presented at Public Health 2025 Conference, Winnipeg, Canada, April 29 – May 1, 2025.

Health inequity; immigrant health; mental health; population-based analysis; sexual health