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Jafari A, De Azevedo Drummond P, Bhimani S, Nishigaya D, Ding AA, Farrell A, Maass KL. Enhancing detection of labor violations in the agricultural sector: A multilevel generalized linear regression model of H-2A violation counts. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302960. [PMID: 38758737 PMCID: PMC11101028 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Agricultural workers are essential to the supply chain for our daily food, and yet, many face harmful work conditions, including garnished wages, and other labor violations. Workers on H-2A visas are particularly vulnerable due to the precarity of their immigration status being tied to their employer. Although worksite inspections are one mechanism to detect such violations, many labor violations affecting agricultural workers go undetected due to limited inspection resources. In this study, we identify multiple state and industry level factors that correlate with H-2A violations identified by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division using a multilevel zero-inflated negative binomial model. We find that three state-level factors (average farm acreage size, the number of agricultural establishments with less than 20 employees, and higher poverty rates) are correlated with H-2A violations. These findings offer valuable insights into where H-2A violations are being detected at the state and industry levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arezoo Jafari
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Priscila De Azevedo Drummond
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Shawn Bhimani
- D’Amore-McKim School of Business, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Dominic Nishigaya
- School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Aidong Adam Ding
- Department of Mathematics, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Amy Farrell
- School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kayse Lee Maass
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Ramos AK, Carvajal-Suarez M, Trinidad N, Michaud TL, Grimm B, LeVan T, Siahpush M. A Cross-sectional Study of Gender-related Differences in Reporting Fatigue and Pain among Latino/A Migrant Farmworkers. J Agromedicine 2020; 25:319-329. [PMID: 31941431 DOI: 10.1080/1059924x.2020.1713272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: Migrant farmworkers face many hardships in both their working and living environments including dangerous and demanding tasks, long hours, and inadequate rest. This study sought to explore gender differences in the reporting of fatigue and pain and to identify predictors of fatigue and pain among migrant farmworkers in Nebraska (n = 241). Methods: Bivariate tests were used to assess associations among study variables. Linear and generalized linear mixed effect models were used to assess gender as a predictor of fatigue and pain respectively while controlling for covariates. Results: Females reported significantly higher levels of fatigue (M score = 15.5, SD = 6.1 compared to M score = 12.8, SD = 4.3) than their male counterparts. Females were also more likely to report pain (56.9% of females compared to 36.3% of males). Being female, pain, hours of sleep, and job demands were significant predictors of fatigue. Fatigue and job-related injury were the only significant predictors of pain. Conclusions: There are gender-related disparities in the reporting of fatigue and pain among Latino/a migrant farmworkers. Extra precautions need to be taken to protect worker health and safety and reduce fatigue, particularly for female workers. Implications for employers, supervisors, and healthcare providers are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athena K Ramos
- Department of Health Promotion, Center for Reducing Health Disparities, College of Public Health, 984340 Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Marcela Carvajal-Suarez
- Center for Reducing Health Disparities, College of Public Health, 984340 Nebraska Medical Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Natalia Trinidad
- Center for Reducing Health Disparities, College of Public Health, 984340 Nebraska Medical Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Tzeyu L Michaud
- Center for Reducing Health Disparities, College of Public Health, 984340 Nebraska Medical Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Brandon Grimm
- Department of Health Promotion, College of Public Health, 984365 Nebraska Medical Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Tricia LeVan
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, 984395 Nebraska Medical Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Mohammad Siahpush
- Department of Health Promotion, College of Public Health, 984365 Nebraska Medical Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha, NE, USA
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RICCÒ M, VEZZOSI L, BALZARINI F, ODONE A, SIGNORELLI C. Air temperatures and occupational injuries in the construction industries: a report from Northern Italy (2000-2013). INDUSTRIAL HEALTH 2020; 58:182-192. [PMID: 31548469 PMCID: PMC7118059 DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.2018-0268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between environmental temperatures and occupational injuries (OIs) in construction workers (CWs) from a subalpine region of North-Eastern Italy. Data about OIs from 2000 to 2013, and daily weather for the specific site of the events were retrieved. Risk for daily OIs was calculate through a Poisson regression model. Estimated daily incidence for OIs was 5.7 (95%CI 5.5-5.8), or 2.8 OIs/10,000 workers/d (95%CI 2.7-2.9), with higher rates for time periods characterized by high temperatures (daily maximum ≥35°C), both in first 2 d (3.57, 95%CI 3.05-4.11) and from the third day onwards (i.e. during Heat Waves: 3.43, 95%CI 3.08-3.77). Higher risk for OIs was reported in days characterized temperatures ≥95th percentile (OR 1.145, 95%CI 1.062-1.235), summer days (daily maximum ≥25°C , OR 1.093, 95%CI 1.042-1.146). On the contrary, no significant increased risk was found for OIs having a more severe prognosis (≥40 d or more; death). In conclusion, presented findings recommend policymakers to develop appropriate procedures and guidelines, in particular aimed to improve the compliance of younger CWs towards severe-hot daily temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo RICCÒ
- AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Department of Prevention, Provincial Agency for Health
Services (APSS) of the Autonomous Province of Trento, Italy
| | - Luigi VEZZOSI
- Prevention of Infectious Disease Unit, Health Protection
Agency Val Padana, Italy
| | | | - Anna ODONE
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University,
Italy
- Clinical Epidemiology and HTA Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele
Scientific Institute, Italy
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Xu X, Li J, Gao J, Liu K, Liu Q. Effective analysis of a community-based intervention during heat waves to improve knowledge, attitude and practice in a population in Licheng District, Jinan City, China. J Public Health (Oxf) 2019; 40:573-581. [PMID: 28977506 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdx121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Intervention strategies that focus on coping with continuous heat wave threats have been implemented in many countries. Despite these efforts, we still lack evidence concerning intervention efficacy. A Heat Wave Intervention Program (HWIP) that impacts knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) was designed, and its effectiveness during heat waves was evaluated. Methods A stratified two-stage probability proportion to size sampling method was employed to analyze an intervention group and a control group. Two cross-sectional surveys, which included questions about heat waves in 2014 and 2015, were analyzed using difference-in-difference (DID) analysis. Results Mean KAP scores among participants with different demographic characteristics in the intervention group were higher in 2015 than those in 2014. Further analysis by DID found that implementing interventions was positively associated with knowledge (ß = 0.387, P < 0.001) and attitude (ß = 0.166, P < 0.01). Conclusion Intervention measures can significantly promote levels of knowledge and attitude. However, as the practice level, most of the sub-groups showed no significant differences for net values between in the intervention group and control group. A cost-benefit analysis was suggested as future work to check the effectiveness of the program. Therefore, further improvement measures should be targeted towards the populations to enable them to effectively cope with the heat waves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Xu
- Department of Dentistry, Affiliated Hospital, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Jing Li
- Public Health Department of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, PR China.,State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jinghong Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, PR China
| | - Keke Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, PR China
| | - Qiyong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, PR China
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Riccò M, Vezzosi L, Bragazzi NL, Balzarini F. Heat-Related Illnesses among Pesticide Applicators in North-Eastern Italy (2017). J Agromedicine 2019; 25:52-64. [PMID: 31030624 DOI: 10.1080/1059924x.2019.1606745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: Pesticide applicators (PAs) are potentially at high risk for developing heat-related illnesses (HRI). To identify HRI burden and potential targets for preventive interventions, a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was performed on a sample of PAs from North Eastern Italy.Methods: The study inquired about HRI knowledge and relative risk perception as cumulative sum scores and behavioral adaptations, including the use of sun protective equipment, both as dichotomous factors and cumulative scores. Participants rated the frequency of HRI symptoms during the previous warm season: three or more occurring at least once/month defined HRI status. Association of individual/behavioral factors with HRI status was assessed through binary regression analysis by calculating odds ratios (OR) with the respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). A linear regression analysis was performed assuming the sum of symptoms as the outcome variable.Results: Participating in the survey was 131 Pas (81.7% males; mean age 46.5 ± 13.9 years). Although knowledge status was good (73.6%±18.1), risk perception was quite low (34.4%±16.9). HRI status was reported by 41.2% of participants, and was associated with manual hoeing/weeding (OR:8.847 95%CI 1.882-41.579), pesticide application (OR:2.975 95%CI 1.185-42.035), and rests in shady, not air-conditioned areas (OR:5.491 95%CI 1.372-21.971); while in regression analysis the sum of sun protective habits was the only negative predictor for the sum of reported symptoms (B -0.014, 95%CI -0.235 to -0.026, p = 0.014).Conclusion: Our results stress the opportunity for raising the risk perception of PAs through specifically tailored interventions. The use of sun-protective equipment should be promoted as an effective method to counter HRI symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Riccò
- Local Health Unit of Reggio Emilia - Regional Health Service of Emilia Romagna, Department of Public Health, Service for Health and Safety in the Workplace, Reggio Emilia, RE, Italy.,Provincial Agency for Health Services (APSS) of the Autonomous Province of Trento, Department of Prevention, Operative Unit for Health and Safety in the Workplaces, Trento, TN, Italy
| | - Luigi Vezzosi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, NA, Italy.,Azienda Sanitaria dell'Alto Adige - Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica Comprensorio di Brunico, Servizio di Igiene e Sanità Pubblica, Brunico, BZ, Italy
| | - Nicola Luigi Bragazzi
- Postgraduate School of Public Health, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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Gonzales M, Erdei E, Hoover J, Nash J. A Review of Environmental Epidemiology Studies in Southwestern and Mountain West Rural Minority Populations. CURR EPIDEMIOL REP 2018; 5:101-113. [PMID: 30906685 PMCID: PMC6426134 DOI: 10.1007/s40471-018-0146-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review summarizes the recent epidemiologic literature examining environmental exposures and health outcomes in rural, minority populations in the southwestern and mountain west region of the United States identifying areas requiring further data and research. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies (2012-2017) in this region have primarily focused on arsenic exposure (n=10 studies) with similar results reported across populations in this region. Associations between arsenic and cadmium were reported for cardiovascular and kidney disease, type II diabetes, cognitive function, hypothyroidism, and increased prevalence and mortality for lung and other cancers. Also in this review are studies of exposure to particulate matter, environmental tobacco smoke, pesticides and fungicides, heat and ozone. SUMMARY Although small, the current literature identified in this review report consistent adverse health outcomes associated with particulate matter, arsenic, cadmium, and other exposures among rural, minority populations in the southwest/mountain west region of the U.S. This literature provides important insight into the environmental exposures and health effects experienced by the rural populations in these regions. Additional studies that identify sources of environmental exposure are needed. Greater representation of the rural and minority populations from this region into large health studies also remains a need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Gonzales
- University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, MSC10 5550, Albuquerque, NM, 87131
| | - Esther Erdei
- University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSC09 5360 Albuquerque, NM, 87131
| | - Joseph Hoover
- University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSC09 5360 Albuquerque, NM, 87131
| | - Jacob Nash
- University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Health Sciences Library and Information Center, MSC09 5100, Albuquerque, NM, 87131
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Levi M, Kjellstrom T, Baldasseroni A. Impact of climate change on occupational health and productivity: a systematic literature review focusing on workplace heat. LA MEDICINA DEL LAVORO 2018; 109:163-79. [PMID: 29943748 PMCID: PMC7689800 DOI: 10.23749/mdl.v109i3.6851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: With climate change, mean annual air temperatures are getting hotter and extreme weather events will become more and more common in most parts of the world. Objectives: As part of the EU funded project HEAT-SHIELD we conducted a systematic review to summarize the epidemiological evidence of the effects of global warming-related heat exposure on workers’ health and productivity. Methods: Three separate searches, focused, respectively, on: i) heat-related illness (HRI), cardiovascular, respiratory and kidney diseases; ii) traumatic injuries; and iii) vector-borne diseases or vectors distribution, were conducted in PubMed. EMBASE was also consulted to retrieve relevant studies focused on the health effects of climate change. A fourth search strategy to assess the effects on work productivity was conducted both in PubMed and in the SCOPUS database. Results: A significant proportion of studies reported findings regarding the Mesoamerican nephropathy issue. This is a disease occurring especially among young and middle-aged male sugarcane workers, without conventional risk factors for chronic kidney disease. For injuries, there is a reversed U-shaped exposure-response relationship between Tmax and overall daily injury claims. Outdoor workers are at increased risk of vector-borne infectious diseases, as a positive correlation between higher air temperatures and current or future expansion of the habitat of vectors is being observed. As for productivity, agriculture and construction are the most studied sectors; a day with temperatures exceeding 32°C can reduce daily labour supply in exposed sectors by up to 14%. Conclusions: The present findings should inform development of further research and related health policies in the EU and beyond with regard to protecting working people from the effects of workplace heat during climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tord Kjellstrom
- Centre for technology research and innovation (CETRI Ltd), Lemesos, Cyprus.
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Mac VVT, McCauley LA. Farmworker Vulnerability to Heat Hazards: A Conceptual Framework. J Nurs Scholarsh 2017; 49:617-624. [PMID: 28806486 PMCID: PMC5656499 DOI: 10.1111/jnu.12327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To review factors that impact the effect of hot environments on the human body in order to develop a conceptual model of human biological response. METHODS The organizing concept for the model development was the multilevel integration of three major factors, exposure to heat, sensitivity and adaptive capacity, and the heat stress response. Exposure of a vulnerable occupational group was used to illustrate the components of the model. FINDINGS Components of this framework include the hazard (environmental heat stress), vulnerability factors (workplace exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity), and the heat stress response. The combination of the vulnerability factors of workplace exposure (work intensity, duration), sensitivity (age, gender, etc.), and adaptive capacity (hydration, clothing, work hygiene) mediate a worker's heat stress response to the hazard. A worker's heat stress response can be classified as progressing towards two outcomes: physiologic equilibrium or physiologic disequilibrium. CONCLUSIONS This framework provides a starting point for the design and development of studies of heat-related illness (HRI) in farmworker and other vulnerable populations exposed to rising global temperatures. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Identification of vulnerability factors to HRI, informs research designs which will lead to the development of public health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Vi Thien Mac
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Linda A McCauley
- Dean and Professor, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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