Engaging Latinos in an Academic-Community Partnership in Montana through a Health Screening Event.

BACKGROUND: Engaging minorities in research especially in Montana where Latinos make up a small percentage of the population can be a challenge. We describe an effort to recruit Latinos into a research study by hosting a health screening event. PURPOSE: This event served as the first step in the creation of an academic-community partnership. METHODS: We formed an interdisciplinary research team and involved key community stakeholders in planning a health screening event. We provided lunch, flu vaccinations, and screening measures including blood pressure, body mass index, and diabetes status. We also asked for volunteers to sign up to participate in future focus groups. RESULTS: Thirty five people participated in the health screening event, and 29 people volunteered to engage in future research. The majority of participants reported not having health insurance or a regular medical provider, were overweight or obese, and did not have diabetes. DISCUSSION: Engaging the Latino community in research is important, and this paper describes the first step in the creation of an academic-community partnership. TRANSLATION TO HEALTH EDUCATION PRACTICE: Attention to community needs through active partnership and adherence to the responsibilities and competencies for health education specialists provides an example of a successful study that can be adapted to other populations.A AJHE Self-Study quiz is online for this article via the SHAPE America Online Institute (SAOI) http://portal.shapeamerica.org/trn-Webinars.

Are Cal/OSHA Regulations Protecting Farmworkers in California From Heat-Related Illness?

OBJECTIVE: Determine compliance with and effectiveness of California regulations in reducing farmworkers' heat-related illness (HRI) risk and identify main factors contributing to HRI. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study of Latino farmworkers, core body temperature (CBT), work rate, and environmental temperature (WBGT) were monitored over a work shift by individual ingestible thermistors, accelerometers, and weather stations, respectively. Multiple logistic modeling was used to identify risk factors for elevated CBT. RESULTS: Although farms complied with Cal/OSHA regulations, worker training of HRI prevention and hydration replacement rates were insufficient. In modeling (AOR [95% CI]) male sex (3.74 [1.22 - 11.54]), WBGT (1.22 [1.08 - 1.38]), work rate (1.004 [1.002 - 1.006]), and increased BMI (1.11 [1.10 - 1.29]) were all independently associated with elevated CBT. CONCLUSION: Risk of HRI was exacerbated by work rate and environmental temperature despite farms following Cal/OSHA regulations.

Migrant Workers and Their Occupational Health and Safety.

In 2015, approximately 244 million people were transnational migrants, approximately half of whom were workers, often engaged in jobs that are hazardous to their health. They work for less pay, for longer hours, and in worse conditions than do nonmigrants and are often subject to human rights violations, abuse, human trafficking, and violence. Worldwide, immigrant workers have higher rates of adverse occupational exposures and working conditions, which lead to poor health outcomes, workplace injuries, and occupational fatalities. Health disparities of immigrant workers are related to environmental and occupational exposures and are a result of language/cultural barriers, access to health care, documentation status, and the political climate of the host country. Recommendations on global and local scales are offered as potential solutions to improving the health of immigrant workers.

Occupational Exposures and Health Outcomes Among Immigrants in the USA.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Immigrants experience higher rates of occupational injury and fatality than their native-born counterparts. This review summarizes the current data related to occupational/environmental exposures and explores potential reasons for the disparities. RECENT FINDINGS: Immigrant workers are employed in sectors that expose them to dangerous working conditions. They experience increased risk for exposure to heat, pesticides, hazardous chemicals, and cleaning agents, as well as physical hazards such as falls. Immigrant workers are at increased risk for occupational injury and fatality due to the nature of the work they traditionally perform, a lack of enforced safety regulations, and limited access to health care or worker's compensation benefits.

Recruitment, Methods, and Descriptive Results of a Physiologic Assessment of Latino Farmworkers: The California Heat Illness Prevention Study.

OBJECTIVE: The California heat illness prevention study (CHIPS) devised methodology and collected physiological data to assess heat related illness (HRI) risk in Latino farmworkers. METHODS: Bilingual researchers monitored HRI across a workshift, recording core temperature, work rate (metabolic equivalents [METs]), and heart rate at minute intervals. Hydration status was assessed by changes in weight and blood osmolality. Personal data loggers and a weather station measured exposure to heat. Interviewer administered questionnaires were used to collect demographic and occupational information. RESULTS: California farmworkers (n = 588) were assessed. Acceptable quality data was obtained from 80% of participants (core temperature) to 100% of participants (weight change). Workers (8.3%) experienced a core body temperature more than or equal to 38.5 °C and 11.8% experienced dehydration (lost more than 1.5% of body weight). CONCLUSIONS: Methodology is presented for the first comprehensive physiological assessment of HRI risk in California farmworkers.

Receipt of Pediatric Weight-Related Counseling and Screening in a National Sample After the Expert Committee Recommendations.

OBJECTIVE: It is uncertain whether children of all weight classifications receive the recommended screening and counseling and if these affect weight status in the subsequent year. METHODS: Data from the 2008-2011 Medical Expenditures Panel Survey were used to examine associations between weight classification and receipt of weight-related screening and counseling from the pediatric provider (n = 9835). Body mass index (BMI) z-score in the subsequent year was modeled as a function of the BMI z-score in year 1. RESULTS: Normal and overweight children have lower odds than obese children of receiving counseling regarding diet (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.50-0.68; AOR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.63-0.89, respectively) and exercise (AOR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.48-0.65; AOR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.64-0.89, respectively). Counseling was associated with a small increase in BMI z-score in the subsequent year (ß = 0.06, 95% CI = 0.01-0.11), as was maternal weight class. CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations to focus prevention on the family unit may reduce childhood overweight and obesity.