Health Experiences of Immigrant Visible Minority Women: A Literature Review.

This literature review on the health experiences of visible minority women is based on a critical review of the international English language peer-reviewed publications from 1980 to 2011. The overall goal was to gather understanding of immigrant women's employment and health experiences. The key findings from the review specific to health are: (a) There is variation in definition and meaning of health across cultures; (b) Immigrant visible minority women experience several barriers to accessing healthcare services including discrimination; (c) There is a paradigm clash between Western bio-medical principles and Eastern holistic approach to health. Social work practice implications are discussed.