Understanding the Health of Migrant Farm Workers
Author Information
Author(s): Seth M. Holmes
Primary Institution: University of California San Francisco
Hypothesis
How does the social context of indigenous, undocumented migrant farm workers affect their health status, well-being, and medical care?
Conclusion
Structural racism and anti-immigrant practices determine the poor working conditions, living conditions, and health of migrant workers.
Supporting Evidence
- Undocumented indigenous Mexicans have the worst health among migrant workers.
- Health disparities are organized according to ethnicity and citizenship.
- Migrant farm workers often lack access to health care and are blamed for their health issues.
Takeaway
Migrant farm workers often have very poor health because of unfair treatment and bad living conditions, and they are sometimes blamed for their own sickness.
Methodology
Qualitative study using participant observation and interviews over 15 months with indigenous Triqui Mexicans.
Potential Biases
The study may be influenced by the researcher's position within the labor hierarchy and the perceptions of the participants.
Limitations
The study's ethnographic design limits the ability to generalize findings to other populations of migrant workers.
Participant Demographics
More than 130 farm workers and 30 clinicians, primarily indigenous Triqui Mexicans.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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