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Refugees from East Africa and South Asia coming to Ontario have a significantly higher incidence of psychotic disorders than both other immigrants and the general population according to a new study.

Researchers analyzed Ontario health records over a 10 year period and cross-referenced their findings with information from Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

The researchers believe that a number of factors including early experiences with adversity or trauma in their native countries may contribute to the higher than average incidence rate of psychoses among refugees.

Original research paper published in CMAJ on May 11, 2015.

Names and affiliations of selected authors

Dr. Kelly Anderson, Western University, Ontario