Health Proposal Garcia-Guerrero 1

Jose Garcia-Guerrero

Writing 010

Dr. Tessa McIntire

August 2, 2019
Health Proposal Garcia-Guerrero 2

Abstract

My health proposal focuses on the health of many migrant and seasonal workers in the Central
Valley. The proposal begins by exploring migrant workers in the Central Valley and healthcare
underrepresentation. Currently, many migrant workers are exposed to many risks and hazards
while working in agricultural fields, leading to injuries, illnesses, or deteriorating health. The
health proposal then uses a number of sources including articles and personal interviews, which
allows for a distinct perspective into the many problems that migrant workers face. Personal
interviews, two migrant workers openly shared their awareness of risks and reason for not
seeking additional help. The research of the articles leads to the health proposal identifying
problems causing many hesitant migrant workers seeking health care providers. The health
proposal provides additional education for migrant workers in improving their health. With
awareness and seeking for solutions in legislation, education, and personal responsibility,
migrant workers would best benefit to form the healthiest lives and continue to provide for their
families. The Overall goal is to persuade the audience of employees and employers to enact the
necessary changes.

Keywords: Healthcare, Migrant Worker, Seasonal Worker, Central Valley

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Background/Problem

In the Central Valley in particular, many agricultural employees are considered as

migrant/seasonal workers, which means they have come from an array of different countries, to

work and be able to provide a better future for themselves and their loved ones. These same

workers are fully convinced that they have no bigger worries other than providing for others.

Nevertheless, there is a huge concern: A large count of agricultural workers are facing potential

harms while working in harsh conditions.

Since 1942, the United States of America has contracted 2 million Mexicans over the

span of the Bracero Program, which also attracted many from other different countries (Mainly

from Latin America) to work in agricultural fields in California. Currently, with a visible influx

of agricultural workers in the United States of America, not everyone is always aware of the

potential harms and possible solutions that could improve their overall health. Cesar Chavez

once stated that “We farm workers are closest to food production. We were the first to recognize

the serious health hazards of agriculture pesticides to both consumers and ourselves.” Cesar

Chavez was aware of the risks of working in the fields in the early 70’s Nevertheless, health

concerns more than ever have arisen with most agricultural workers not aware of such incidents

which includes the following: injuries, infections, diseases, bites, and past medical history which

could go untreated.

An article by High Country News published the numerous life-risks that Migrant and

Seasonal Workers (MASW) face by going to work every morning. High Country News then

stated, “[many] populations experience serious health problems including diabetes, malnutrition,

infectious diseases, pesticide poisoning, and injuries from work-related machinery.” The

commonality of physical injuries leaves a huge toll on the lives of many of those seeking to

provide for their family. In addition, Alderete (researcher in theLifetime Prevalence of and Risk
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Factors for Psychiatric Disorders Among Mexican Migrant Farmworkers in California) shared an

additional concern of mental health in agricultural workers. Alderete conducted studies of Fresno

migrant workers and although “any psychiatric disorder was lower for migrants” they found that

over time the longer the residence “[MSAW] increased the likelihood of lifetime psychiatric

disorders.” The results identified the cultural adjustment problems which include both the

physical and mental since many workers were not originally exposed to the conditions in which

they find themselves working in.

Mr. Marquez (an interviewee) shared the story of getting bitten by a snake and how he

was hospitalized for almost a month: “I was afraid of course there was nothing I can do.” When

questioned if he was aware that being bitten by a snake was a possibility while working, he

responded “I have heard stories but they are rare, like you rarely hear of them.” I was then lead

to question if his employers had a certain protocol in which they could respond to the event of a

snake bite, “They were just as lost as me -- nobody knew what to do.”

Unfortunately, many workers are facing such serious conditions, and are not seeking the

necessary health provider. According to Rural Health Info in 2017, 36% of all seasonal workers

were reported to receiving care from a health provider. Percentages as 36% are suprisinging low

and quite saddening to hear. Rural Health Info then stated the major reasons why many workers

don’t seek the help in their personal health, could be either due to costs, citizenship status,

concerns of missing work, or simply a lack of information about healthcare. Mr. Garcia (an

interviewee) shared the fears of seeking additional care and why sometimes it is best to ignore

the problem altogether. For Mr. Garcia, a bigger issue than paying medical expenses were

barriers which did not allow him to understand if he could actually get access to care; and if he

actually could; where should go? These critical health issues are just going to worsen because of
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the migratory culture of this population group, which makes it difficult to develop a relationship

with a healthcare provider, maintain treatment regimens, and track health records.
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Solution

As stated before my initial goal was to spread awareness to employees so they could

understand the risks and better their lives for themselves. Awareness is a great step but it is not

the only step. Awareness if spread would migrant and seasonal workers actually go seek the

help they need? Through my health proposal I highlighted many of the risks and hazards while

working in the agricultural fields; nevertheless, knowledge of the hazards doesn’t always lead to

employees understanding that they should enact preventative measures to maintain a healthy life-

style. I propose general meetings which focuses on preventive actions workers could use to best

work in the conditions. A bi-annual general meeting would allow workers to understand the risks

and address more concerns. The general meeting will promote drinking water to reduce

dehydration, preparing a safety kit in case of trauma injuries requiring splints and proper

dressings, as well as providing knowledge of basic first aid.

Understandably, many migrant and seasonal workers need to seek medical help for other

issues such as diabetes (most common issue faced). The fear of migrant status is a huge role in

why workers are not receiving additional care. Dr. Longathan (researcher in understanding

migrant workers' access to healthcare) estimates 11.2 million immigrants don’t have basic access

to health care. Fortunately, in the United States all emergency rooms are federally required to

care for anyone regardless of their migrant status. In addition to emergency rooms,

mobile/community clinics, serve the underserved communities which are not reached by

traditional healthcare delivery models. Currently, 9 total mobile/community clinic health care

providers are caring for seasonal workers in the Central Valley, from Fresno to Modesto and

more in the surrounding areas. With most clinics being free or low cost this will include aid to

providing the necessary information and care to seasonal workers in the Central Valley. In
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addition, as a great asset to the liveliness of employees, employers should be mandated to

provide annual check-ups that will assess and determine any health problems employees can

face. Mandated annual check-ups can help find the repestectivtive solutions to successfully help

seasonal workers in receiving early diagnosis of medical problems and providing the necessary

care for them as well.

Although many of the solutions discussed previously are great short-term goals to focus

on improving and promoting a sustainable and healthy lifestyle for our workers, a great solution

would be laws that promise care for migrant workers for future generations. The promise of a

law both beneficial and permanent would do much more to lives of workers. However, the main

issues is the overbearing pace of the legislation with our current government meaning any law

could take decades before it is enacted and practiced. My proposed solutions allows for a current

growth in care for migrant workers and promoting an initial dialogue creating changes and

bringing a better health coverage to the migrant and seasonal workers providing for their loved

ones. My counterargument is bringing awareness in result there will be new legislation favoring

migrant and seasonal workers in our communities.

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Conclusion

With continuous efforts, I do believe that many lives of migrant workers could benefit

and improve not only their overall health but of those around them. The main goal of the health

proposal was to educate and allow for awareness to positively impact the results in regards to the

current conditions in which many agricultural workers find themselves in by worrying in long

straining hours. In conclusion, I want to propose my research in providing awareness of the

potential health risks workers face by working in the fields, in addition to finding the necessary

solutions and resources to aid in preventing critical health problems. Honestly, finding the

overall benefits of creating awareness and impacting the lives of workers to a healthy life in

which they could provide food for the world and for their families.
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Works Cited

Alderete, E., Vega, W. A., Kolody, B., & Aguilar-Gaxiola, S. (2000). Lifetime Prevalence of and

Risk Factors for Psychiatric Disorders Among Mexican Migrant Farmworkers in

California. American Journal of Public Health, 90(4), 608–614.

Guidi, R., & Roberto. (2018). Farmworkers face illness and death in the fields. High Country

News.

J. Garcia, Personal Communication, July 27, 2019.

J. Marquez, Personal Communication, July 28, 2019.

Loganathan, T., Deng Rui, C. N., & Pocock, N. S. (2019). Breaking down the barriers:

Understanding migrant workers' access to healthcare in Malaysia.