Heat Index in Migrant Farmworker Housing: Implications for Rest and Recovery From Work-Related Heat Stress

Quandt, Sara A.; Wiggins, Melinda F.; Chen, Haiying; Bischoff, Werner; Arcury, Thomas A.

doi:10.2105/ajph.2012.301135

Cited by 64 publications

(75 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Although most of these farmworkers are married or living as married, none would be living with their wives and families as they could not afford to bring them to the US, and their employers would not provide room and board for them while living in the farmworker camps. Other research has shown that migrant farmworker housing in North Carolina is substandard and crowded (Arcury et al, 2012b; Quandt et al, 2013a, 2013c), and often does not provide for farmworker privacy or security (Arcury et al, 2012b). Although farmworker housing for workers with H-2A visas is often better than that for other migrant farmworkers, it often does not meet the requirements of housing regulation (Arcury et al, 2012b).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alcohol Consumption and Risk for Dependence Among Male Latino Migrant Farmworkers Compared to Latino Nonfarmworkers in North Carolina

Arcury

Talton

Summers

et al. 2016

Alcoholism Clin & Exp Res

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Aims-To describe alcohol consumption behavior of male Latino migrant farmworkers, compare their alcohol consumption behavior with that of other male Latino immigrants, and determine factors associated with risk for alcohol dependence among Latino immigrant workers.Methods-Cross-sectional data were drawn from baseline interviews conducted as part of a larger community-based participatory research project examining the cognitive and neurological outcomes of pesticide exposure. A total of 235 farmworkers and 212 non-farmworkers completed interviews between May and August, 2012.Results-Although 17.5% of the North Carolina Latino farmworkers report never having drunk alcohol, and a total of 34.5% report not having drunk alcohol in the previous three months, 48.5% engaged in heavy episodic drinking (HED) in the previous 3 months, and 23.8% frequently engaged in HED during this period. Farmworkers and non-farmworkers did not differ significantly in alcohol consumption behavior. Farmworkers and non-farmworkers did differ significantly in Corresponding author: Thomas A. Arcury, PhD, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, Phone: 336-716-9438, Fax: 336-716-3206, tarcury@wakehealth.edu. Conclusions-Latino farmworkers and non-farmworkers consume relatively large amounts of alcohol and engage in heavy episodic drinking at relatively high rates. Latino farmworkers have very high rates of risk for alcohol dependence. Policy changes and public health interventions are needed to address these concerns for a population that is vital to the agricultural economy. HHS Public Access KeywordsFarmworkers; immigrant workers; Latinos; heavy episodic drinking; alcohol dependence Alcohol consumption among migrant and seasonal farmworkers is a serious public health concern (Gracia, 2007). The approximately one-million farmworkers in the United States (US) (Kandel, 2008; USDA, 2013) constitute a vulnerable population, with over 80% being Latino (Carroll et al., 2005). Like other Latino immigrant workers, migrant and seasonal farmworkers experience structural vulnerability (Quesada et al., 2011), which increases their risk for problem drinking (Worby et al., 2014). Structural vulnerability is a social situation that inflicts physical and emotional suffering on specific groups and individuals in patterned ways; structural vulnerability results from economic exploitation and all forms of social discrimination (Quesada et al. 2011). Although many farmworkers in the US live with their partners and children, many, particularly migrant farmworkers, are not accompanied by their families (Carroll et al., 2005). Most farmworkers are immigrants, with limited formal education, low incomes, and limited access to health care, who experience high rates of occupational injury and illness (Carroll et al., 2005;Arcury and Quandt, 2007;Villarejo, 2003;Villarejo and McCurdy, 2010). Half of all farmworkers are undocumented (Carroll et al., 2005). Farmworkers have little control of their work...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alcohol Consumption and Risk for Dependence Among Male Latino Migrant Farmworkers Compared to Latino Nonfarmworkers in North Carolina

Arcury

Talton

Summers

et al. 2016

Alcoholism Clin & Exp Res

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“…An earlier study on heat-related mortality in North Carolina found that almost half of all occupational heat-related deaths from 1977 to 2001 were among farm workers [35]. Several risk factors have been identified among this demographic, including the exertional nature of their work (many laborintensive crops are typically harvested in July), excessive clothing, poor housing conditions, lack of preventative training, lack of access to health care, and underlying illness or disease [19,34,[36][37][38]. Since we did not have access to any individual information on the circumstances surrounding each ED visit, we could not confirm what specific occupations were in fact associated with HRI.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Extreme Heat Events on Emergency Department Visits in North Carolina (2007–2011)

et al. 2015

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Extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related mortality in the U.S. Extreme heat also affects human health through heat stress and can exacerbate underlying medical conditions that lead to increased morbidity and mortality. In this study, data on emergency department (ED) visits for heat-related illness (HRI) and other selected diseases were analyzed during three heat events across North Carolina from 2007 to 2011. These heat events were identified based on the issuance and verification of heat products from local National Weather Service forecast offices (i.e. Heat Advisory, Heat Watch, and Excessive Heat Warning). The observed number of ED visits during these events were compared to the expected number of ED visits during several control periods to determine excess morbidity resulting from extreme heat. All recorded diagnoses were analyzed for each ED visit, thereby providing insight into the specific pathophysiological mechanisms and underlying health conditions associated with exposure to extreme heat. The most common form of HRI was heat exhaustion, while the percentage of visits with heat stroke was relatively low (<10%). The elderly (>65 years of age) were at greatest risk for HRI during the early summer heat event (8.9 visits per 100,000), while young and middle age adults (18-44 years of age) were at greatest risk during the mid-summer event (6.3 visits per 100,000). Many of these visits were likely due to work-related exposure. The most vulnerable demographic during the late summer heat event was adolescents (15-17 years of age), which may relate to the timing of organized sports. This demographic also exhibited the highest visit rate for HRI among all three heat events (10.5 visits per 100,000). Significant increases (p < 0.05) in visits with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases were noted during the three heat events (3-8%). The greatest increases were found in visits with hypotension during the late summer event (23%) and sequelae during the early summer event (30%), while decreases were noted for visits with hemorrhagic stroke during the middle and late summer events (13-24%) and for visits with aneurysm during the early summer event (15%). Significant increases were also noted in visits with respiratory diseases (5-7%). The greatest increases in this category were found in visits with pneumonia and influenza (16%), bronchitis and emphysema (12%), and COPD (14%) during the early summer event. Significant increases in visits with nervous system disorders were also found during the early summer event (16%), while increases in visits with diabetes were noted during the mid-summer event (10%).

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“…For example, farmworkers of Latino origin are frequently asked to go beyond their physical capabilities to meet employers' demands 6-9 and work under extreme weather conditions. 10-12 Additionally, factors like immigrant and ethnic discrimination, 7,9,13,14 the type of contract under which they work (hourly vs. piece-rate), 10,15 and workplace violence and threats from employers (e.g., deportation) keep workers from reporting their injuries. 16 Substandard working conditions that put productivity first and farmworkers' security last 6,15 also impact farmworkers' risk of injury, as does underreporting.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“The Only Thing I Wish I Could Change Is That They Treat Us Like People and Not Like Animals”: Injury and Discrimination Among Latino Farmworkers

Snipes

Cooper

Shipp

2016

Journal of Agromedicine

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Objective This paper describes how perceived discrimination shapes the way Latino farmworkers encounter injuries and seek out treatment. Methods After 5 months of ethnographic fieldwork, 89 open-ended, semi-structured interviews were analyzed. NVivo was used to code and qualitatively organize the interviews and field notes. Finally, codes, notes, and co-occurring dynamics were used to iteratively assess the data for major themes. Results The primary source of perceived discrimination was the “boss” or farm owner. Immigrant status was also a significant influence on how farmworkers perceived the discrimination. Specifically, the ability to speak English and length of stay in the United States were related to stronger perceptions of discrimination. Finally, farm owners compelled their Latino employees to work through their injuries without treatment. Conclusions This ethnographic account brings attention to how discrimination and lack of worksite protections are implicated in farmworkers' injury experiences, and suggests the need for policies that better safeguards vulnerable workers.

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Heat Index in Migrant Farmworker Housing: Implications for Rest and Recovery From Work-Related Heat Stress

Cited by 64 publications

References 12 publications

Alcohol Consumption and Risk for Dependence Among Male Latino Migrant Farmworkers Compared to Latino Nonfarmworkers in North Carolina

Alcohol Consumption and Risk for Dependence Among Male Latino Migrant Farmworkers Compared to Latino Nonfarmworkers in North Carolina

Impact of Extreme Heat Events on Emergency Department Visits in North Carolina (2007–2011)

“The Only Thing I Wish I Could Change Is That They Treat Us Like People and Not Like Animals”: Injury and Discrimination Among Latino Farmworkers

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