Immigrants face longer ICU stays after stroke in Canada

A study published September 2, 2026, in Neurology found that immigrants in Canada who have a stroke are more likely to experience longer ICU stays than long-term residents, despite similar ICU admission rates. The study analyzed 85,507 ischemic stroke hospitalizations in Ontario from 2014 to 2023, finding immigrants averaged 5.6 days in the ICU versus 3.8 days for long-term residents, a 30% higher likelihood after adjusting for factors like age and stroke severity. Immigrants also had slightly higher rates of life-sustaining treatments. Researchers suggest language barriers and cultural differences in end-of-life care attitudes may explain the disparity, noting fewer palliative care consultations among immigrants. The study's author recommends improving interpreter services and staff cultural education to reduce these differences.