Blurred Borders - International Community Foundation

Health Issues Arising from Poor Living Conditions
The Federal Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act seeks to protect these
workers, by requiring, among other things, that housing for the migrants, if the employer
provides it, meet the minimum health and safety standards. 271 Yet, many migrants, especially
farm workers, are known to live in squalid living conditions, many in camps without adequate
sanitary facilities. In San Diego County, it is believed that 100 to 150 such camps are housing
7,000 migrant workers. 272 Researchers theorize that day laborers and farm workers living in
make-shift huts and camps may have higher risks of contracting infectious diseases like
HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and Hepatitis C in the US, then transport the infection back to their
families in their native land. Currently, UC AIDS Research Program is studying whether the
Mexican HIV/AIDS rates are impacted by migrant workers.
Fear of the INS
Although medical facilities do not collect information on migration status, the fear of being
reported to INS persists. A recent study looked at obstacles to obtaining prenatal care by
pregnant Latinas. The study found that 55% of the women found the process confusing, or
thought that applying for public insurance (Medi-Cal or Healthy Families) would impact their
immigration status, or would be reported to the INS, or would be more difficult to become a
U.S. citizen. 273 The fear of being reported to the INS is a deep-rooted reality, and can lead to
no prenatal care, which increases the risk of low birth weight, premature birth, birth defects
and other preventable birth complications.
Making Healthcare and Medicine Culturally and Financially Accessible
Cultural Competence
Even though many Latinos have access to health care in the U.S., there is a need for more
culturally competent care. As alluded to throughout this chapter, Latinos and Latinas, especially
the more recent immigrants, are uncomfortable or unfamiliar with US medical culture, due to
cultural differences and language barriers. The more conservative Latino culture often makes it
difficult for Latino patients to seek HIV/AIDS treatments and reproductive healthcare, and
miscommunication with health professionals create misunderstandings and frustration. For
example, recent studies have shown that Hispanic children with limb fractures are provided less
pain medication than non-Hispanics. 274 In order to reduce the stigma associated with visiting US
doctors, medical professionals must become more culturally competent. One seemingly easy
way would be to match Hispanic or Mexican doctors and nurses with Hispanic or Mexican
patients. Unfortunately, this has turned out to be a very difficult task.
271 U.S. Department of State (2000). Employers are not required to provide housing by this act.
272 National Farm Worker Ministry webpage, “Farm Worker Conditions,” citing Diane Lindquist’s July 10, 1998
article in the San Diego Union Tribune (“Where Do Migrants Live?”) and SANDAG’s 1999 study “Regional
Housing Needs Statement-San Diego Region” and “San Diego County’s Homeless Profile” (no publication date).
Available at http://www.nfwm.org/fw/housing.shtml (last accessed 1/12/04).
273 UCSF (12.5.02)
274 California Healthline (7.30.02)
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