Over the past three decades, increasing numbers of Asians have migrated to Canada from across the Asian continent. Currently, 44% of the Vancouver region's population is of Asian origin (Statistics Canada, 2001). Immigrants generally fill skilled positions that the host country is not able to fill with its own citizens, and therefore provide many benefits to their host country. In a country where the birth rate is declining, like Canada, their contribution can play a major role on several levels. Immigrants themselves often enjoy higher earning potential than in their home countries, which can be advantageous for those who want to send money home to support their families. An interesting phenomenon – the healthy immigrant effect (HIE) – has been observed. in many countries, such as Canada, the United States and Great Britain (Kennedy, McDonald & Biddle 2006). That is, immigrants who enter these countries are generally healthier than native-born citizens. Yet while there is a clear health gap between the Canadian-born and new immigrants, it is gradually dissipating to the point where the two groups have similar levels of health (McDonald and Kennedy, 2004). Why people who have enjoyed consistently high levels of health for much of their lives would experience such a marked decline is rather puzzling, but two major contributing factors have been identified – problems with access to healthcare and acculturation – which will be the subject of the following articles. discussion. The first goes against the health of immigrants by preventing their access to preventive and therapeutic care. The latter compounds this effect by creating new unhealthy behaviors among immigrants, while at the same time acting as a barrier... middle of paper ... to the United States. Journal of Transcultural Nursing 19:16. Statistics Canada. 2001. “Community Profiles 2001.” Accessed December 3, 2009 (http://www12.statcan.ca/en glish/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=C SD&Code1=5915022&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data= Count&SearchText=vancouver&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=59&B1 =Population&Custom= ()).Unger, Jennifer B. et al. 2004. “Acculturation, Physical Activity, and Fast Food Consumption Among Asian-American and Hispanic Adolescents.” Journal of Community Health 29:467-481. Young Muslims “Khulwah”. Youngmuslims.ca. Accessed November 27, 2009 (http://web.youngmuslims.ca/online_l ibrary/books/the_lawful_and_prohibi tion_in_islam/ch3s1p2.htm). Zencovich, M., K. Kennedy, DW MacPherson, and BD Gushulak. 2006. “Immigration medical screening and HIV infection in Canada.” International Journal of STDs and AIDS 17:813.