Methodological techniques for the assessment of immigrant occupational health problems: Somerville, Massachusetts

Tufts University, the Immigrant Service Providers Group (ISPG/H) and the Cambridge Health Alliance will report on methods used in an Environmental Justice program addressing immigrant occupational health risks in Somerville, MA. Program goals were arrived at through discussions with the community partners and reflect their strengths and interests. Specific methods described include the use of Key Informant interviews characterizing the needs and size of particular immigrant populations and the implementation of an IRB approved occupational health survey developed and administered by fluently bi-lingual Teen Educators trained under the grant. The surveys were developed with the assistance of the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health (MassCOSH) and Tufts University faculty. The project builds upon the ability of the Teen Educators to build trust and perform outreach within their immigrant communities. We will report on interviews conducted with the Teen Educators that assess their interests and motivation for community health work. The Teen Educator component builds on the previous success of members of the ISPG/H (Haitian Coalition and the Community Action Agency of Somerville) in implementing risk reduction and advocacy programs on issues ranging from tobacco use to environmental hazards. We will also report on the launching of a pilot Green Cleaning Cooperative by the Brazilian Women's Group to address occupational risks encountered by immigrant housecleaners. This leverages the work of the Collaboration for Better Work Environment for Brazilians (COBWEB) project at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.