Hester Lipscomb, PhD, Robin Argue, MPH, Mary Anne Mcdonald, DrPH, John Dement, PhD, Carol Epling, MD, MSPH, and Tamara James, MSE, CPE. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3834, Durham, NC 27110, 919 286-1722, hester.lipscomb@duke.edu

Reduction of labor costs often occurs through hiring less advantaged groups - often women, immigrants, racial minorities - who are perceived to be less likely to organize and more likely to accept poorer conditions. Southern states have recruited industry through tax breaks, anti-union legislation, permissive regulations and promises of low wages resulting in placement of low wage industries in economically depressed areas with large minority populations. We are conducting a longitudinal study of African-American women employed in poultry processing in an economically depressed area of NC. The study was designed to circumvent the need to involve the industry. Primary outcomes of interest include musculoskeletal disorders and acute injuries, but also health related quality of life and social consequences of employment. Quantitative and qualitative data are being collected from women through serial physical exams and interviews, as well as in-depth ethnographic interviews.

We describe research challenges faced and strategies used in the conduct of this community-based study focused on illuminating relationships between work and health disparities in the rural South. These include challenges in conducting occupational research without access to the workplace, transportation and consequently time demands on participants in sparsely populated areas, recruitment and retention of African-American women, and effects on academic and community-based research staff. In economically depressed areas, immediate needs for jobs can outweigh concerns about long-term health effects in the eyes of the community at large, and in the eyes of workers, making the research process more challenging and potentially contributing to health disparities.

Learning Objectives:

• The audience should be able to identify significant challenges in conducting occupational health research with disadvantaged populations.
• The audience should be able to identify strategies for recruitment and retention of rural African-American women research participants.

Keywords: Occupational Health, African American

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.