Health of migrant and seasonal farmworkers in Iowa

There are three to five million migrant and seasonal farmworkers in the United States that work in one of the most hazardous industries. They are exposed to numerous occupational and non-occupational injuries and illnesses daily, including but not limited to, pesticide and chemical-related health conditions, heat-related health conditions, muscle and joint pain, eye injuries, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and depression. Furthermore, these farmworkers also experience multiple vulnerabilities including cultural and language barriers and low socioeconomic status. A survey was administered in interview setting to characterize farmworkers’ occupational and non-occupational health conditions, their healthcare-seeking behavior, and their use of preventive measures and health education. Muscle and/or joint pain and eye injuries were the most commonly reported occupational health outcomes, and diabetes and high blood pressure were the most commonly reported non-occupational health outcomes. Farmworker participants requested more information covering prevention, management, and care for these health outcomes. There were low reports of receiving health education regarding common occupational and non-occupational health conditions. Future research efforts and next steps should focus on creating networks between healthcare providers, employers, and other organizations that serve farmworkers as well as continue to host programs that directly involve farmworkers to understand their perceptions of their health and access to healthcare.