Policies that affect agricultural worker health: Findings from policy stakeholder surveys

In 2005, The California Endowment awarded pilot demonstration grants to two communities in California to participate in its Poder Popular Program, a three year project designed to improve health for agricultural workers, their families and their communities. The program prioritizes building the capacity of individuals and organizations to develop community-directed strategies and focuses on population health, community health, and systems change (responsible public and business policies). Long-term outcomes include local and state policy changes in housing, air and water quality and land use, supporting binational healthcare strategies, and involving agribusiness in creating and sustaining healthy communities.

As part of the evaluation of these demonstration grants, stakeholder interviews were conducted with 15 separate partner organizations to highlight opportunities, efforts, and outcomes related to systems change for key policy areas and any links that existed between these strategies and the work of the local communities.

An original survey instrument was developed for conducting the interviews. Specific questions included: identifying priority policies, policy strategies, and policy solutions that affect agricultural worker health, engagement in advocacy and policy agendas, the impact of policy strategies and policies on agricultural worker health, successes and challenges in policy work, and policymakers interested in strategic partner policy work.

Findings revealed several key priority policy issues that affect agricultural worker health and a range of solutions and strategies to address these policy issues. Strategic partners appeared to be engaged in policy work at different levels, and in different arenas, depending on the focus and mission of their organization.