Health Status and Needs of Latino Dairy Farmworkers in Vermont

Abstract

Vermont is a new Latino destination where many Spanish-speaking migrants have found work on dairy farms. One hundred twenty Latino workers were surveyed on 59 Vermont dairy farms to develop a demographic profile and evaluate their self-assessed health status and barriers to care. The study found, similar to other studies, the majority of workers were young, male Mexicans. However, the workers in this study, as compared to others, originated farther south in Mexico and there were significant regional differences in educational attainment. Workers defined health in terms of their ability to work and the majority believed themselves to be in good health. The majority felt that moving to the United States has not changed their health status. The most common health issue reported was back/neck pain, followed by dental and mental health issues. Workers are both physically and linguistically isolated and reported isolation as the most challenging aspect of dairy farm work. Fear of immigration law enforcement was the primary barrier to care. Community-based initiatives, including partnerships with colleges and universities, outreach to farm employers and the adoption of "bias-free policing" are strategies that can increase access to health care for Latino dairy farmworkers in the United States.

The Pain Experience of Hispanic Americans: A Critical Literature Review and Conceptual Model

“…5,73,131 Consistent with this exposure, HAs report more occupational pain and injury than NHWs. 36,129 Numerous investigations have found that acute and chronic pain is a common complaint among HA workers employed in agriculture, 8,19,60,88,110,117,121,135 construction, 5,21,52 and the service industry. 48,52,56 Furthermore, a survey of 300 HA farmworkers with musculoskeletal pain found that 28% were above the CES-D clinical cut point for depression.…”

“…8,88 Another investigation found that HAs primarily obtained dental pain care in their native country and only sought a U.S. dentist as a last resort. 31 Approximately one-third of HAs in a focus group reported buying or having someone else buy medicines in another country to bring back to the U.S. for their use.…”

“…In both investigations, documented and undocumented HAs reported fears that disclosing personal information to obtain health insurance or receive pain care would be reported to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office. 8,62 Fears of deportation were associated with increased stress and depression, as well as missing healthcare appointments when immigration law enforcement or police were nearby. 62 It is important to highlight the paucity of pain-related research with undocumented Hispanic immigrants, which is likely due in part to individuals’ deportation concerns.…”

Milking Workers, Breaking Bodies

“…8 In 2012, an estimated 92 percent of dairy workers in Vermont were Latino. 9 Although we have no survey data about the legal status of these workers, our field-based research suggests that most are undocumented.…”

Improving Health Care for Spanish-Speaking Rural Dairy Farm Workers

“…1 These laborers work long hours, 1 report physical and linguistic isolation, and many experience stress regarding immigration status. 2 Because dairy work is year round, these laborers are ineligible for federally funded health care at migrant health centers. 3 These realities make Spanish-speaking dairy workers a highly vulnerable population in the rural northeastern United States.…”