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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Aida Giachello, PhD¹, Jose O. Arrom, MA¹, and Rashaun Roberts, PhD². (1) Midwest Latino Health Research, Training, and Policy Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1640 W. Roosevelt Rd. 636, Chicago, IL 60608, 312-413-7409, giachello1@aol.com, (2) DHHS/CDC/NIOSH/DART/OSHFB/WOSRS, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway MS C-24, Cincinnati, OH 45226

Background. Health disparities have been widely documented over the last decades. However, beyond injury, little has been documented on the impact of work experiences on Latino health. Aims. This participatory research project documents how psychosocial factors and other work related issues that may contribute to poor minority health. This project aims to develop indicators of workplace discrimination, a national telephone survey, and educational materials for workers. Methods. Four focus groups were conducted with Latino/a supervisor/non-supervisor or male/female immigrants pairs as well as six other Chicago ethnic-immigrant populations. The groups discussed challenges at work, self-perceptions, connections between health and stress, differential interpersonal and institutional treatment (including discrimination), safety, work climate, coping, and strategies to improve the workplace. Findings: Latinos reported frequent incidents of discrimination and micro-insults or indignities. Language is common source of workplace stress; accents and low English literacy skills were barriers to advancement among immigrants despite having educational qualifications. Bilinguals repeatedly reported being asked to interpret, often beyond their job duties, identifying this as unfair treatment since few received adequate compensation. They connected workplace stress and acute condition, but failed to link it to chronic diseases. Most believed that trained Latino professionals in their work sector would have more obstacles to being hired and career advancement would be slow. They observed Latinos were often bypassed for promotion, assigned to ethnic units, and would receive little training, mentoring. As a result, they would be underproductive and\pushed out. Underrepresented in managerial levels, Latinos recommended Hispanic leadership in their organization was essential for their advancement and worksite opportunities to improve their English and communication skills. Conclusions: While cultural diversity training and institutional change is important, Latino workers need more training on how to survive and in the multicultural workplace.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify sources of workplace stress, including discrimination, for Latino workers, differentiating for gender and immigrant status. Define theoretical frameworks for addressing workplace health disparities.

Keywords: Workplace Stressors, Occupational Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation