Anglophones, immigrants in worse health than francophones in the Eastern Townships

When it comes to their health and well-being, anglophones and immigrants living in the Eastern Townships are worse off than their francophone neighbours, according to a new report.

The region's public health office looked into the health of the area's30,000 anglophones and 20,000 immigrants, who form 10 per cent of its population.

The reportdetailsconcerns in areas including physical and intellectualdevelopment,dental hygiene, nutrition, mental health,access to family doctors, and exposure to physical violence.

Social concerns including income, education and access to social services are also highlighted.

Key findings regardingthe anglophone communityinclude:

• Anglophone residents aged 18 to 39are at a disadvantage in terms of education and income compared tofrancophones in the same age group.
• Anglophone children ofkindergarten age are almost twice asvulnerable toissues in one or more developmental areas like social skills and communication abilities (46 per centcompared to25 per cent of francophones).
• A third of kindergartners who attendEnglish schoolshave cavities,versus 25 per cent in French schools. Among second graders, 63 per cent of English students have cavities compared to56 per cent of francophonestudents.
• A third of English high schoolstudents consume sugary drinks, chips and candy every day. Only 24 per cent of French students do the same.
• Six in 10 students who attend high school in English report being victims of violence at school or on the way to school, or victims of cyberbullying.
• While 86 per cent of anglophone residents have a family doctor, many report barriers including doctors whoonly speak French and documents that are only in French.

Key findings among immigrant communities include:

• While more recent immigrants attended university, they are at a greater disadvantage in terms of employment, income and home-ownershipthan people born in Canada.
• 35 per cent of immigrant children are vulnerable in one of more developmental area, particularly in the areas of cognitive and language development.
• Immigrants have less access to social and health services. Only 66 per cent have a family doctor, while 82 per cent of people born in Canada have one.
• A quarter of refugees report stress and anxiety.

The report makes a number of recommendations, whichincludetraining health professionals to provide better servicesin English and supporting more research on health and access tohealth care inthe region'slinguistic and cultural communities.

''It's normal for anglophones to prefer, especially in matters of mental health, speaking to a health professional who is comfortable in English,'' Dr. Mlissa Gnreux, public health director for theEstrie region, told CBC News.

''Having morewebsites translated would also be a plus, especially with a health-care system that's becoming more and more complex.''

The report saidthe concerned communities to be better mobilized to take advantage of the region's health "assets."

The Townshippers Association, a non-profit group representing the region's English-speaking community, welcomed the report.

In a news release, Rachel Hunting, the group's executive director,said it gives additional weight to efforts in the region to improve access to and the adaptation of health services to local needs.

"It is very encouraging to have the public health partner in our region produce a volume of research and statistics that compliment and corroborate details that have long been known," she said.