Mobed K, Gold E B, Schenker M B
Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616-8648.
West J Med. 1992 Sep;157(3):367-73.
Migrant and seasonal farm workers are one of the most underserved and understudied populations in the United States. The total US population of such farm workers has been estimated at 5 million, of whom about 20% live or work in California. Farm workers perform strenuous tasks and are exposed to a wide variety of occupational risks and hazards. Low socioeconomic status and poor access to health care also contribute to existing health problems in this population. Potential farm work-related health problems include accidents, pesticide-related illnesses, musculoskeletal and soft-tissue disorders, dermatitis, noninfectious respiratory conditions, reproductive health problems, health problems of children of farm workers, climate-caused illnesses, communicable diseases, bladder and kidney disorders, and eye and ear problems. Few epidemiologic studies exist of these occupational health problems. No comprehensive epidemiologic studies have assessed the magnitude of occupational health problems among migrant and seasonal farm workers and their dependents. Although the migratory nature of this population makes long-term studies difficult, the development of standardized data collection instruments for health consequences and scientific assessment of farm work exposures and working conditions are vital to characterize and reduce the occupational health risks in farm workers.
流动及季节性农场工人是美国服务最欠缺、研究最少的人群之一。据估计，美国此类农场工人总数达500万，其中约20%在加利福尼亚生活或工作。农场工人从事高强度劳动，面临各种各样的职业风险和危害。社会经济地位低以及难以获得医疗保健服务也导致了这一人群现存的健康问题。与农场工作相关的潜在健康问题包括事故、与农药有关的疾病、肌肉骨骼和软组织疾病、皮炎、非传染性呼吸道疾病、生殖健康问题、农场工人子女的健康问题、气候引起的疾病、传染病、膀胱和肾脏疾病以及眼耳问题。关于这些职业健康问题的流行病学研究很少。尚无全面的流行病学研究评估流动及季节性农场工人及其家属职业健康问题的严重程度。尽管这一人群的流动性使得长期研究困难重重，但开发用于健康后果的标准化数据收集工具以及对农场工作暴露和工作条件进行科学评估对于确定和降低农场工人的职业健康风险至关重要。
