Exploratory Study of the Occupational Health and Health-Seeking of Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers on the U.S.–Mexico Border

The U.S. migrant and seasonal farmworker (MSFW) workforce is aging. Aging causes functional changes that can affect work performance
and increase injury/accident risk. It also has been linked with deferred health-seeking. The exploratory study was conducted
to investigate occupational injuries and health-seeking in Hispanic MSFW on the U.S.–Mexico border. Data were collected using
an abbreviated Spanish-version of the California Agricultural Worker Health Survey. Nearly 60% of the 141 participants were
middle-aged or older. Musculoskeletal injuries and those consistent with agrochemical and environmental exposures were common.
Farmworkers aged >40 years were 2.5–5 times more likely than younger MSFW to report persistent single and multiple injuries
involving the knees, shoulder, feet, and hands. Except for neck and back injuries, few received any medical treatment. Although
many self-treated with traditional home remedies, few used CAM practitioners. The study findings highlight the multiple workplace
health and health-seeking challenges faced by aging immigrant MSFW.