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The Health Status of Hispanic Agricultural Workers in Georgia and Florida

Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health volume 24, pages 1129–1136 (2022)Cite this article

Abstract

To examine the health status of Hispanic agricultural workers in Florida and Georgia. Health data from agricultural workers in the Farm Worker Family Health Program (June 2019) and research studies in Florida (May 2015 and May 2019) were examined. Data from 728 agricultural workers were collected through sociodemographic questionnaire and clinical data. In the Florida sample, 83% were overweight or obese, 70% elevated blood pressure, 60% met the definition of prediabetes. In Georgia, 64% were overweight or obese and 67% had elevated blood pressure. Weak correlations were observed between BMI and systolic blood pressure (unadjusted r = 0.20), diastolic blood pressure (unadjusted r = 0.19), and glucose (unadjusted r = 0.14). Adjusting for age and gender did not show statistically significant correlation between BMI and systolic and diastolic blood pressure or glucose. While BMI has been shown to be strongly associated with high blood pressure and impaired glucose, we found a weak correlation among agricultural workers. Given the common and high use of pesticides and elevated rates of hypertension, impaired glucose, and adiposity in agricultural workers, the public health impact of this relationship may require and lead to occupational reform that protects the health of agricultural workers. Future studies should assess occupational and environmental factors and lifestyle differences between agricultural workers and the general population to better understand these discrepancies in health status.

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Funding

funding was provided by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (R01OH010657, R01OH0011782), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (T32 ‐ DK 07656).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, 1520 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Roxana C. Chicas, Madelyn C. Houser, Abby Mutic, Estefani Ignacio Gallegos, Daniel J. Smith, Lori Modly, Vicki S. Hertzberg & Linda McCauley

  2. Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Lisa Elon

  3. Farmworkers Association of Florida, Apopka, FL, USA

    Nezahualcoyotl Xiuhtecutli

  4. Levin College of Law, University of Florida, Gainesville, GL, USA

    Joan Flocks

  5. Renal Division, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Roxana C. Chicas & Jeff M. Sands

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  1. Roxana C. Chicas
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  2. Lisa Elon
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All authors contributed to data analysis, data interpretation, the structure and content of the manuscript, and approved the final version for publication.

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Correspondence to Roxana C. Chicas.

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Chicas, R.C., Elon, L., Houser, M.C. et al. The Health Status of Hispanic Agricultural Workers in Georgia and Florida. J Immigrant Minority Health 24, 1129–1136 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-021-01326-0

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