UC Merced Magazine | Volume XIX, Issue VII

Some Important Study Findings

49% OF FARMWORKERS were without health insurance. 19% of respondents experienced, at some point, not being paid wages by an employer.

HEALTH WAS FAIR HEALTH WAS POOR

31% 5% Between one-third and one-half of farmworkers reported having at least one chronic condition. Diabetes (20%), hypertension (19%) and anxiety (10%) were the most common.

Respondents Reported:

15% feelings of uncontrollable worry

19% feeling nervous or anxious

14% feeling depressed or hopeless

Recommendations: Expand farmworker access to the economic and social safety net.

54% reported marginal, low or very low food security. 43% reported that their employer “never” provided a heat-illness prevention plan as mandated under law. 36% of farmworkers said they would QRW EH ZLOOLQJ WR ȰOH D UHSRUW DJDLQVW WKHLU employer for workplace noncompliance. Of WKRVH XQZLOOLQJ WR ȰOH UHSRUWV 64% said they feared retaliation or job loss. !

Expand farmworkers’ health care access. Continue to invest public resources in protecting workers’ rights. Invest public resources in agricultural development that raises industry work standards, particularly related to technological development.

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