The Michigan Farmworker Project

Recognizing that the social context of the workplace environment contributes to health inequities within and across generations, and the need to amplify and integrate this understanding in the field of occupational and environmental health to prevent, mitigate and take action to achieve worker safety, health and well-being in the farmworker population, Alexis J. Handal and Lisbeth Iglesias-Rios developed the Michigan Farmworker Project (2018-2025).

The Michigan Farmworker Project found that farmworkers (migrant, seasonal, and H-2A)—considered "essential workers" - face challenging working and living conditions that are critical to address during the COVID-19 pandemic. Efforts to limit COVID-19 risks in this population require an evidence-based, multifactorial approach that involves workers, employees, and stake-holders. In a policy brief, the researchers recommend that enforcement actions be taken to ensure compliance with COVID-19 protection and mitigation guidelines instead of reliance on self-compliance.

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