The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #70111

Robin Rager, PhD¹, Eva Doyle, PhD², Denise Bates, MS¹, Cheryl Cooper, MSN¹, and Robin Rager, PhD¹. (1) Department of Health Studies, Texas Woman's University, P.O. Box 425499, Denton, TX 76204, 940-898-2863, rrager@venus.twu.edu, (2) Dept. of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, Baylor University, P. O. Box 97313, Waco, TX 76798

More than 3 million migrant and seasonal farmworkers support a multi-billion dollar agricultural industry in the United States. Unfortunately, a great majority of these laborers work and live in isolated and unsanitary conditions, with exposure to a variety of agricultural toxins, placing them at greater risk for health problems. Most of them also have very limited access to health care services that could prevent more serious illnesses or provide effective disease management. These factors, combined with the barriers of poverty, language, culture differences, logistics, and low perceptions of risk, result in many serious health conditions among this workforce which could be avoided through appropriate preventive measures. For this research study, using an interview survey instrument developed and validated by the researchers for this special population, a comprehensive assessment of the health and safety risks, health practices, and health care usage was conducted, using a sample of 200 migrant and seasonal farmworkers located in east Texas. In this session, the results of this assessment will be presented, along with implications and recommendations for intervention strategies for this underserved population. At the conclusion of the session, the participants will be able to: 1) describe the unique research methods used to collect assessment data from this hard-to-reach population; 2) identify the health/safety risks, health practices, and health care usage among this worker segment; and 3) identify potential interventions to address this population’s health needs.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, the participants will be able to:
• describe the unique research methods used to collect assessment data from this hard-to-reach population;
• identify the health/safety risks, health practices, and health care usage among this worker segment; and
• identify potential interventions to address this population’s health needs.

Keywords: Migrant Farm Workers, Risk Assessment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.