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

Abstract #64115

Richard Mines, PhD, California Institute of Rural Studies, 221 G Street, Suite 204, Davis, CA 95616 and Nancy Mullenax, PhD, Aguirre International, 555 Airport Blvd, Suite 400, Burlingame, CA 94010, 650-346-6557, nmullenax@aiweb.com.

This study of farmworker health focuses on families from among seven binational community networks tied to the state of Zacatecas in northwestern Mexico. The study covers a broad range of issues, from the complex matrix of institutional structures and farmworker community attitudes that, in large measure, determine the type of care this population receives to the prevalence of chronic and ethno-specific diseases. The investigation involved a detailed survey and extensive field observations among current and former U.S. farmworkers and health-care professionals in Mexico and the United States. The inclusion of former farmworkers—those who had returned to Mexico to retire or had shifted to other work in the United States—among the study population is a key distinction of this investigation. As a result, the project was able to more precisely assess the long-range health impact of farm labor on these workers. In addition, preliminary ethnographic interviews with women and families in Mexico revealed the need of further research on the health risks that affect those that are “left behind.” After providing an overview of the research conducted—its methods, implementation and findings—we will focus specifically on the implications of the investigation for future work among retired farmworkers (on both sides of the border), farmworker families (on both sides of the border), and, specifically, the health risks faced by women who remain in Mexican villages.

Learning Objectives:

1.List the main health risks affecting U.S. farmworkers.
• Describe binational research strategies and methodologies to elevate the visibility of migrant and immigrant health on both sides of the border.
• Identify and articulate outstanding areas of health care research and program implementation that address the health needs of U.S. farmworkers and their families on both sides of the border.
• Discuss farmworker community and network organizations that can be used for health care implementation within a binational context.

Keywords: Immigrants, Health Care

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.