UT-Houston Researchers to Investigate Health of Migrant Farm Worker Families

Under a new $744,000 grant, investigators from The University of Texas-Houston School of Public Health will study the occupational health of migrant farm worker children and their families. The goal of the three-year grant, funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, is to follow migrant farm worker children and their families in Starr County, Texas, for injuries and illnesses as they migrate for work in other states and return to their homes in South Texas.

Principal investigator Dr. Sharon Cooper says, "Although research shows that agriculture is one of the most hazardous industries in the U.S., little is known about the magnitude of injuries and illnesses among agricultural workers, in general, and migrant farm workers, specifically." She notes that the study targets a population that is often forced to work in extreme environmental conditions and close to pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

Many migrant farm workers in the U.S. name Texas - in particular, South Texas and Starr County - as their permanent residence. For this reason, investigators will draw on the families of approximately 250 migrant farm worker children currently or recently enrolled in the Rio Grande City Consolidated Independent School District, the largest school district in Starr County. The families will be selected within four months.

Investigators will collect information about frequency of and risk factors for work-related injuries and illnesses in the migrant farm worker families through focus group discussions and a work diary to be kept by the migrating families. An interview-based questionnaire will be administered by staff from the Starr County Health Studies Office, directed by Dr. Craig Hanis, who has been conducting diabetes research in Starr County for 20 years. The staff members, led by Hilda Guerra, are lifelong residents of the Starr County community.

Raol Smith, superintendent of the Rio Grande City Consolidated I.S.D., supports the study and its goals. "Migrant farm worker families are an important part of our school and local community, and I have had a long-term interest in health concerns related to their work," he says. "I have met with Dr. Cooper since the inception of the idea for this study and will assist in any way that I can to facilitate its implementation."

Smith, as well as other school district and community leaders will serve on an advisory board for the study to advise research team members on local issues and help with community health concerns following the eventual release of study findings by the end of 2002.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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