Responding to the needs of linguistic and cultural communities in the Estrie

In September 2016, the public health director for the Estrie region released a report health and education outcomes of anglophones and immigrants and the region's francophones. The "Responding to the needs of linguistic and cultural communities in the Estrie" report looks at a number of factors influencing the health and wellness of these communities and provides recommendations. Available on the public health directors website [santeestrie.qc.ca], Townshippers' is happy to provide a copy of this report, in English, for download [click here].

This report has been produced by the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de l’Estrie – Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke. To facilitate accessibility, Townshippers' Association has made the English version of this report available to download for free from Townshippers.org

A FEW WORDS FROM THE DIRECTOR
Last September, the first report ever by the Director of Public Health in Estrie on the mental health and well-being of the citizens in Estrie was published. This year, for its second edition, a subject of equal importance, specifically the health of the English-speaking and immigrant communities in Estrie, was chosen.

The need to draw a profile of our linguistic and cultural minorities became apparent to us once we learned of the results of the Québec Survey of Child Development in Kindergarten (QSCDK). That survey showed significant gaps in the general development of English and French-speaking children who attend kindergarten in Estrie. Why were there such differences? Were they the result of language or cultural barriers, or of other factors (e.g., poverty)? One thing is certain: we find such gaps unacceptable. We must therefore understand them better in order to take appropriate action.

At the same time, the massive influx of Syrian refugees over the past year reinforces our wish to grasp the health issues that are specific to immigrants, in particular recent immigrants and refugees, many of whom have endured hardship and trauma which could be lasting and affect both their physical and mental well being.

Within the framework of this report, our intention was to distinguish the health needs of the English speaking community and those of the immigrant community in Estrie, assuming that the respective realities of both communities were quite distinct.

The initiative taken to accomplish our goal was particularly rigorous. We first formed an advisory committee composed of partners and members of the English-speaking and cultural communities in Estrie. That committee assisted us at every stage of the process, from developing the work plan to interpreting the results. I sincerely thank all members of the committee for their commitment and invaluable contribution. In order to draw the most accurate findings, we have integrated to our study not only a quantitative component (i.e., the analysis of numerous sources of data), but also a qualitative one. No fewer than 48 people from the English-speaking and immigrant communities in Estrie participated in focus groups to share their experience with us and to improve our understanding. Finally, we completed our analyses by conducting individual, in-depth interviews with key actors in the municipal, education, and community sectors.

It is with a great sense of pride that I invite you to read this report and to become acquainted with the needs and realities that are specific to the English-speaking and immigrant communities in Estrie.
Best regards,
Mélissa Généreux, M.D.
Public Health Director for Estrie

Production
Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de l’Estrie –
Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke
Direction de santé publique
300 King Street East, suite 300
Sherbrooke, QC J1G 1B1
Telephone: 819 829-3400
Fax: 819 569-8894

References
Copyright © Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de l’Estrie –
Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke
Legal deposit – Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, 2016
ISBN: 978-2-924330-89-0 (electronic version French)
ISBN: 978-2-924-330-94-4 (electronic version English)
Any reproduction in whole or in part is authorized provided that the source is mentioned.
This document is available on the web site of the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de
l’Estrie – Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke at the following address: www.santeestrie.qc.ca.

Attached Files

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Rapport-Min-ENG-v2016-09-28.pdf	Download