Using Policy Briefs to Disseminate Occupational and Environmental Research with Farmworkers to Policy Makers

Migrant and seasonal farmworkers are a vulnerable population who experience substantial occupational hazards and who have limited political voice.  Research that documents the occupational and environmental hazards they face is essential to substantiate policy change.  Presenting research findings clearly and concisely to policy makers is a critical step in the support of regulations to improve occupational equity for farmworkers.

Dissemination of research findings to multiple audiences, including policy makers, is an essential tenet of community based participatory research (CBPR).  Producing “Policy Briefs” that summarize research findings so they can be used by community members and advocates to educate policy makers is one part of our 20 year CBPR partnership with farmworkers in North Carolina.

This presentation highlights the role of and the essential components of these policy briefs.  Policy briefs are focused and concise communications that clearly display research findings.  Data are depicted graphically or visually.  Advocates and community groups are important partners in the design process, ensuring that pertinent information is prominent.  Encouraging participation in the design of policy briefs increases their impact in a wider audience. 

The iterative process of developing a policy brief is described, and sample policy briefs spanning a number of CBPR projects investigating occupational and environmental justice issues are presented.  Policy briefs documenting the hazards migrant farmworkers endure are effective vehicles for advocacy. Grant R01 ES008739.