Health Equity for Spanish- Speaking Immigrant Workers

LCDR Elizabeth Garza20 June 2012

Objectives1) Understand the novel approach of incorporating

occupational safety and health within Mexican Consulates

2) Explain two examples of how NIOSH is reaching Spanish-speaking immigrant workers

Working with promotores as part of the Mexican Consulate Initiative

Conducting health hazard evaluations at worksites with Spanish-speaking workers

Health EquityHealth equity is achieved when every person has the opportunity to “attain his or her full health potential” and no one is “disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of social position or other socially determined circumstances.”

-CDC

Highest-risk Workers

Foreign-born Latinos

U.S. born Latinos

All Latinos

All Workers

5.9

3.7

4.9

4.1

Work-related fatality rate

-BLS CFOI, 2004

“Workers born in Mexico accounted for 44% of all work-related fatalities among foreign-born workers in the U.S. in 2007.” -BLS CFOI, 2008

Occupational Safety and Health Act

“…to assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women.”

* Created NIOSH and OSHA (1970)

BarriersImmigrant workers face barriers to exercising their rights and accessing information at all levels:

individual relationships community societal

Mexican Consular Network• 50 offices throughout the U.S.• Serving more than one million Mexican

immigrants annually

Ventanillas de Salud (‘Health Windows’)• NIOSH collaborates with the Mexican Government• Well-established health promotion program• Series of print materials, video spots & training

curriculum

Example #1: Promotores de Salud (Community Health Workers)

Promotores de Salud• Already interact regularly with Mexican

immigrant workers• Training promotores can improve their capacity

to effectively assist and advocate for workers

Occupational Safety and Health Training: Skills-based Curriculum

• Fundamentals of occupational safety and health• Support network for occupational safety & health • Creating action plans

Occupational Safety and Health Training:

Module 1: Perceptions & attitudesModule 2: Hazard recognition: Worker’s rights & responsibilitiesModule 3: Accessing occupational safety and health resources

Occupational Safety and Health TrainingModule 4: Evaluating changeModule 5: Practice Encounter

Beyond the Mexican Consulates

Example #2: Health Hazard Evaluations (HHEs)

HHEs (Health Hazard Evaluations)• responds to requests for investigations to learn

whether exposures or conditions in specific workplaces pose a health hazard to workers

Health Hazard EvaluationsThe evaluation is done at no cost to the employees, employee representatives, or employers.

Worksite Assessment• May review records about exposure and health,

interview or survey employees, measure exposures, and do medical testing.

HHEs: Final Report & ActionsExperience has shown that most employers attempt to address any problems identified in the HHE report.

HHEs: Representing All SegmentsThe changing economic, social, cultural, and

political landscape in the United States means that we must reach out to new populations.

Responding to Immigrant Populations• Addressing language needs• Considering access to care in making decisions

about offering medical testing

HHEs: Broader Array of RequestsEstablish formal relationships with organizations representing underserved populations, small businesses, and their employees.

Achieving Health Equity

expanding access to health services for underserved Spanish-speaking immigrant communities

instituting workplace changes to create safer and healthier environments for Spanish-speaking immigrant workers

Through Mexican Consulate Initiative & Health Hazard Evaluation Program…