Promoting the Occupational Health of Indigenous Farmworkers

Abstract

In the United States, approximately 78% of agricultural farmworkers are immigrants. In Oregon, a growing number of these farmworkers are indigenous and speak an indigenous language as their primary language. This group of farmworkers suffers from linguistic, cultural and geographic isolation and faces a unique set of challenges yet little has been done to identify their health needs. Using data from focus groups, partners from this community-based participatory research project examined indigenous farmworkers' concerns regarding occupational injury and illness, experiences of discrimination and disrespect, and language and cultural barriers. The data revealed examples of disrespect and discrimination based on the languages and cultures of indigenous farmworkers, and a lack of basic occupational health and safety information and equipment. For example, participants mentioned that occupational safety information was inaccessible because it was rarely provided in indigenous languages, and participants felt there were no legal means to protect farmworkers from occupational hazards. Community-based strategies designed to address the occupational health status of farmworkers must consider the unique circumstances of those farmworkers who do not speak Spanish or English.

Pesticide Exposure and Occupational Safety Training of Indigenous Farmworkers in Oregon

“…With input from all project partners, 7 we used previously validated survey tools that had been used with farmworkers 5,8,9 to develop a baseline survey written in Spanish. Between April and October 2006, the indigenous community educator partners administered the baseline survey at labor camps, farmworker homes, and community centers.…”

Musculoskeletal Healthcare for Latino Migrant Farmworkers: Interprofessional Collaboration to Provide Service and Educate Future Healthcare Providers

“…Despite the aforementioned risks associated with agricultural work, migrant farmworkers generally lack access to health care services (over two-thirds of all farm workers lack health insurance) (Carr, 2006;Farquhar et al, 2008;Hoerster et al, 2010;McCauley, 2005;McCauley et al, 2006;National Center for Farmworker Health, n.d.b;Sherrill et al, 2005;Zuskin et al, 1997). If a migrant farmworker becomes sick or injured, he or she may face several barriers to accessing health care (Bustamante et al, 2009;Hoerster et al, 2010;Kullgren, 2003;Marshall et al, 2005;McCauley, 2005).…”

“…The Latino population (described by the US Census Bureau as "persons of Hispanic or Latino origin") is the largest ethnic minority in the US accounting for nearly 16% of the US population (Denavas-Walt, Proctor, & Smith, 2010;Shah & Carrasquillo, 2006). When compared with other races and/or ethnic groups in the US, Latinos are the most likely to be uninsured with 32% of all Latinos lacking health insurance (Denavas-Walt, Proctor, & Smith, 2010;Farquhar et al, 2008;Hoerster, Beddawi, Peddecord, & Ayala, 2010;Mueller, Patil, & Boilesen, 1998; National Center for Farmworker Health, 2011;Shah & Carrasquillo, 2006). A subset of the Latino population that is particularly vulnerable to health care disparities is undocumented immigrants (Hoerster et al, 2010;Shah & Carrasquillo, 2006).…”

Community Collaborations for Farmworker Health in New York and Maine: Process Analysis of Two Successful Interventions

“…6 Yoo exposed undergraduate students to Web banner advertisements and found that students who had been exposed to an advertisement for a brand were more likely to choose that brand in a later test than were those not exposed to the advertisement for that brand. 6 To date, only a handful of studies in the United States 3,4,7,8 In an attempt to provide further information on the food and beverage marketing to which children are exposed online, we examined Web sites popular with children to determine whether the sites contained depictions of branded foods and beverages. We also assessed the nutritional value of any marketed products on these Web sites and evaluated their appropriateness for school-age children.…”

“…This approach puts it within a relatively small group of agricultural health CBPR programs. [5][6][7] Second, the work team included both farmworkers and agricultural employers together, and there was substantial interaction between them. In fact, the work team in New York ultimately selected a health issue that affected workers and farm owners equally, thus strengthening the coalition.…”