health equity for spanish- speaking immigrant workers lcdr elizabeth garza 20 june 2012
TRANSCRIPT
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…