International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume 9, Issue 6, 2012, Pages 2159-2174

The US/Mexico border: A binational approach to framing challenges and constructing solutions for improving farmworkers' lives (Article) (Open Access)

Rosales C.* , Ortega M.I. , de Zapien J.G. , Paniagua A.D.C. , Zapien A. , Ingrams M. , Aranda P.
  • a Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 714 East Van Buren, Phoenix, AZ 85006, United States
  • b Nutrition Division, Research Center for Food and Development, Victoria Road, Km 0.6, La Victoria Town, 83304, Hermosillo, Mexico
  • c Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 714 East Van Buren, Phoenix, AZ 85006, United States
  • d Nutrition Division, Research Center for Food and Development, Victoria Road, Km 0.6, La Victoria Town, 83304, Hermosillo, Mexico
  • e Center for Studies on Health and Society, The Sonora College, 54 Obregon Ave, Downtown Hermosillo, 83000, Hermosillo, Mexico
  • f Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, 714 East Van Buren, Phoenix, AZ 85006, United States
  • g Center for Studies on Health and Society, The Sonora College, 54 Obregon Ave, Downtown Hermosillo, 83000, Hermosillo, Mexico

Abstract

Mexican migrant and seasonal farmworkers in the US-Mexico border region face health hazards and occupational risks and are becoming commonly known in the public health literature. According to several studies, farmworkers have high levels of chronic diseases such as diabetes and respiratory problems, are at risk for infectious diseases, and experience among the highest incidences of work-related injuries of any profession. The findings from two studies are considered and presented with the objective of contributing to an overall understanding of migrant farmworkers as a workforce moving across national boundaries and affected by the work environments and health stressors both shared and unique to each context. We propose a binational approach to comprehensively address the health problems and socioeconomic challenges faced by migrant and seasonal farmworkers. In this paper we present the results of two distinct but complementary studies of farmworker health on the Arizona-Sonora border. © 2012 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Author Keywords

Migration Border region US Mexico Binational Collaboration Jornaleros Farmworkers

Index Keywords

border region food safety health care planning health risk agricultural worker health insurance Arizona human work environment middle aged health service Agriculture health status Aged international cooperation Mexico United States Young Adult Humans Adolescent male female Article adult environmental stress migration health care access international migration Mexico [North America] Emigration and Immigration occupational health environmental health nutritional status Social Responsibility disease incidence personal hygiene public health
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84863195557&doi=10.3390%2fijerph9062159&partnerID=40&md5=463139982056896efee5a9e72506a7d9
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph9062159
ISSN: 16604601
Cited by: 7
Original Language: English