A critical assessment of how public policy affects the health of immigrants, this interdisciplinary volume is an integral contribution to the study of immigration in modern developed nations. Authors employ a welfare state analysis to examine the political and economic systems that shape public policy, turning to several Canadian and international case studies that demonstrate how these policies specifically impact immigrant experiences and health outcomes. Exploring ideals of multiculturalism, solidarity, and equity, Dennis Raphael’s edited collection is an excellent resource for students interested in comparative health care systems, health economics, and global immigrant experiences.

Dennis Raphael, PhD, is a Professor of Health Policy and Management at York University. The most recent of his over 250 scientific publications have focused on the health effects of income inequality and poverty, the quality of life of communities and individuals, and the impact of government decisions on Canadians’ health and well-being. Dr. Raphael is editor of Tackling Health Inequalities: Lessons from International Experiences and Health Promotion and Quality of Life in Canada; co-editor of Staying Alive: Critical Perspectives on Health, Illness, and Health Care; and author of Poverty in Canada: Implications for Health and Quality of Life.

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“A wonderful contribution to the immigration literature, this book provides global evidence on the integration and incorporation of immigrants in Canada with an emphasis on health outcomes and trends from a multinational perspective. Comparing how immigrants fare in terms of health and well-being in Nordic, continental European, and Anglo-Saxon countries reveals surprising and important insights about the role of policy for immigrant integration as well as a new perspective and evidence to guide us in rethinking the traditional conceptualization of the welfare state.”
— “Dan Zuberi, RBC Chair and Associate Professor, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and School of Public Policy and Governance, University of Toronto

“This exciting and timely book examines an under-researched aspect of health inequalities: the integration of immigrants into the health and welfare systems of high-income countries. Drawing on case studies from across North America and Europe, this is a highly accessible text with chapters written by country experts. The book reveals how immigrants fare in different countries, using this to inform suggestions for improving the situation in Canada. The book is very important and an essential read for public health professionals, researchers, and students.”
— “Clare Bambra, Director of the Centre for Health and Inequalities Research, Durham University