Farmworkers face special risks and health issues

Thanks to the agricultural workers that toil in the fields, millions of people are fed during the winter. But these farmworkers face different health issues and risks than the general population.

“They do a lot of repetitive work. There are a lot of back injuries,” noted Amanda Aguirre, CEO/president of the Regional Center for Border Health

It might be a challenge to keep their feet dry. “The fields are wet, muddy. If someone is diabetic, it might be a problem,” she said.

The same conditions increase their risk of getting fungus under their nails.

They have to protect themselves from the insecticides applied to the crops.

They are experts at using a knife to cut lettuce and broccoli, but they're still at risk of injuries, especially in cold weather, when fingers might be numb.

Tuberculosis, which spreads easily, is a concern because farmworkers spend a lot of time in small, confined spaces with large groups of people, either living together or traveling to job sites on buses.

Other concerns include sexually transmitted diseases, chronic diseases such as diabetes, lack of preventive care and continuity of care since migrant workers — and their families — move a lot.

“They follow the crops. Today they're here and tomorrow in Salinas,” Aguirre noted.

These migrant farmworkers are the reason the Sunset Community Health Clinic exists. Sunset began receiving federal funding through a Public Health Service grant to the Yuma County Migrant Health Program in 1972, according to the center's website.

Services were provided out of a trailer in Somerton during those early days. Today the center serves 27,000, including 6,000 migrant workers.

Some agricultural groups and major companies provide health insurance for their temporary workers, who might be on their payroll for six months or so.

Some unions, particularly in California, also provide health insurance, thanks to the movement started by Cesar Chavez. This type of insurance extends into Mexico, where farmworkers and their families can access health-care services and have it paid by American insurance.

Aguirre noted that Pan American Underwriters and Western Growers both provide health insurance for farmworkers, often with coverage for services in Mexico.

This is how many farmworkers and their families like it. “Because we're on the border, a lot of workers cross into Mexico for service,” Aguirre pointed out.

The San Luis Clinic, which is run by the Regional Center for Border Health, a private, nonprofit organization, is designated as a rural health care provider. It also sees farmworkers, takes all insurance and has a sliding fee scale.

The clinic will not deny anyone services and will donate medical services should someone not have the means to pay for them.

Some farmworkers might also qualify for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, depending on the individual's work and insurance status. Or if they're temporary workers and they qualify for unemployment benefits during the off season, they might also be enrolled in AHCCCS.

While farmworkers face special health issues, Aguirre believes agricultural companies are paying more attention to worker safety.

“Education and awareness are very important,” she said, noting that the focus must be on keeping families healthy, impressing upon them the importance of good nutrition and giving them access to primary health care services.

“They have a difficult skill, a skill they know very well. It's very unique,” Aguirre added. “Not many people want to do that, so we need to value them as part of our community and make sure to offer them services as well as we can.”

Mara Knaub can be reached at mknaub@yumasun.com or 539-6856. Find her on Facebook at Facebook.com/YSMaraKnaub or on Twitter at @YSMaraKnaub.