The National Center for Farmworker Health (NCFH) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health of agricultural worker families in the United States and Puerto Rico. Each year, NCFH commissions an artist to depict an image relevant to the life-style of migrant and seasonal agricultural workers to support its Migrant Health Scholarship Award program. Proceeds from the sale of fine art prints and posters are used to award scholarships to individuals with the potential to positively affect agricultural workers.
This year we celebrated 40 years of service in Migrant Health, and we look forward to continuing work that champions increased access to care for US agricultural workers in 2016. In reflecting on 2015, the brief list below represents a few instances where NCFH appeared in the news. "Small clusters of workers moving quickly over vast rural swaths of sparsely-populated prairie and are difficult – and expensive – to reach, said Bobbi Ryder, CEO of the National Center for Farmworker Health." - "Mobile Health Clinics Provide Health Services to Ag Workers," The Prairie Star
Want to help us celebrate 2015 through a contribution? Consider donating to our Call for Health Program, a national patient navigation system that promotes health and well-being for ag worker families through bilingual educational publications and is a national call line that responds to questions on accessing local health care resources for agricultural workers.
NCFH headquarters in Buda, Texas, transformed the past few weeks in preparation for our 3rd annual door decorating and ugly sweater contests. NCFH staff also hosted children from a neighboring daycare stopped by to for a visit and some sweet treats. Decorating Contest Winners were: NCFH teams flexed their creative muscles and had a great team building experience!
It is Christmas season and we see Christmas trees everywhere. Christmas trees are put up each year, yet many don’t stop to reflect on the hard work and consequences that agricultural workers experience in order for these trees to be in our homes. Prior to the 1950's, most Christmas trees were cut from the forest. Today, according to the National Christmas Tree Association, more than 90 percent are grown on farms growing nearly 350 million Christmas trees in the U.S. alone. There approximately 15,000 farms growing Christmas Trees in the U.S. and employing over 100,000 people full or part-time in the industry. With the high demand for Christmas trees during this season, agriculture workers working the pine trees become essential for the industry. However, they are exposed to the dangers of pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, along with other occupational health risks. When we see Christmas trees during this season, it’s uncommon to stop and think of the dangers farmworkers face while working. Yet, more shocking is the fact that many of them have not received any health care services. For example, North Carolina is the leading producer of Fraser fir trees, one of the best selling Christmas tree species, but in 2014, in North Carolina only 10.5% of agriculture workers received health care services. Due to a low percentage of agricultural workers in the U.S being served by health centers, NCFH and NACHC have launched the Ag Worker Access 2020 campaign calling on every migrant health center grantee to increase the number of agricultural workers served by 15% each year over the next five years. NCFH has developed resources and tools to help health centers achieve this goal. Every agricultural worker deserves to be aware of his or her health care opportunities, accounted for in their health center, and receive quality health care services. They work the soil of this country for all of us to have food on our tables, and even to make our home look beautiful with a Christmas tree during the holiday season. So, join us in making this Ag Worker Access 2020 campaign a success and most importantly making sure all agricultural workers and their families receives health care services. In this holiday season, learn how you can help ensure agricultural workers are informed of the health care services available to them. And remember, if you have a beautiful decorated Christmas tree in your home…thank a farmworker. By: Joanna Arevalo
Video: Robyn Levine, USA, 2011.
During Thanksgiving we take time to reflect on all that we are grateful for. As always, but especially during Thanksgiving, we take time to remember those who work tirelessly to bring fresh, affordable produce to our tables for our family meals every day – Agricultural Workers and the farmers that employ them.
For the past 40 years, NCFH has worked to improve the health status of Agricultural Workers and their families by providing population-specific information, training, and technical assistance to the health centers, organizations and other individuals who serve them. This year we, along with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), launched the Ag Worker Access 2020 Campaign, with the goal to increase the number of Agricultural Workers with access to comprehensive and high quality services at community health centers to 2 million by 2020. As NCFH celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, we’d like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all of you who have helped, and continue to help, NCFH achieve its mission – health centers, primary care associations, our Board of Directors, staff, and other partners, to name only a few. You have shared your skills, knowledge, and especially your heart toward our common goal, and we are humbled and truly grateful. We at NCFH wish you, our migrant health champions, a safe and happy Thanksgiving. As we look forward to our organization’s next milestone in 5 years we will not only be celebrating NCFH’s 45th anniversary, but also the success of the Ag Worker Access 2020 Campaign. What a celebration that will be! By: Lisa Miller Photo: NCFH
Dear Migrant Health Champion,
This year, on Tuesday, December 1, 2015, the National Center for Farmworker Health is participating in #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving. We ask that you help support us in this endeavor. In additional to promoting migrant health awareness, we will request that our community support migrant health scholarships through our online store or make a donation to our Call for Health Program. All proceeds from this initiative will support the Migrant Health Scholarship Program and the Call for Health Foundation. About NCFH’s Migrant Health Scholarship Award and Call for Health Program Each year NCFH accepts applications for the Migrant Health Scholarship Award from individuals employed or interning at federally funded migrant health centers. Applicants are staff members who desire to further their education and are either currently studying or entering a curriculum relevant to migrant health. The selection committee reviews applications based on the following criteria: applicability of educational goals to migrant health, personal statement of experience or commitment to migrant health, letters of reference, farmworker status, and length of service in the migrant health field.
Call for Health is a national patient navigation system that promotes health and well-being for farmworker families through bilingual educational publications and is a national call line that responds to questions on accessing local health care resources for farmworkers. The Call for Health Foundation provides financial assistance to help farmworker families access healthcare services.
The national toll-free number (800-377-9968) is staffed by bilingual Information Specialists Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time, and is accessible 24 hours a day through voice messaging. About #GivingTuesday Last year, more than 30,000 organizations in 68 countries came together to celebrate #GivingTuesday. Since its founding in 2012, #GivingTuesday has inspired giving around the world, resulting in greater donations, volunteer hours, and activities that bring about real change in communities. We invite you to join the movement and to help get out the give this December 1. 5 Ways to Support NCFH’s Participation in #GivingTuesday
Thank you. One in every ten Hispanic/Latino persons will develop Diabetes Type 2 after the age of 20, according to the National Diabetes Education Program. Of those 10%, nearly 12% are of Mexican ethnicity. The ethnically Mexican population, both documented and undocumented, accounts for 68% of the Agricultural Worker population in the United States.
Naturally, with Diabetes risk factors being higher within Latino populations, it is important for special vulnerable populations – like the United States’ Migrant Agricultural Workers – to have provided to them the important tools and resources for both understanding the risk of Diabetes and how to manage it if diagnosed. Diabetes Type 2 (or Diabetes Mellitus) happens when our bodies cannot process glucose (or sugar) like it used to. Sugar levels rise and our bodies try to make up for it by producing more insulin. However, after time the body cannot regulate the process and thus Diabetes Type 2 is diagnosed. Symptoms of Diabetes Type 2 often include feeling fatigued, thirsty, numbness in the feet and hands, blurred vision, and higher susceptibility to cuts and bruises that won’t heal. Agricultural Workers face a greater risk due to their specific barriers to health care. Lack of health insurance and transportation are big factors. But Dr. Keshelava also reported that workers might fear the retaliation of their superiors if they are feeling sick. Retaliation can be hours cut or being fired. The good news is there are ways to manage Diabetes Type 2 within the migrant Agricultural Worker population. A collaborative Farmworker Health Network member, MHP Salud, has programs that train Community Health Workers to go out in the fields and offer culturally appropriate education on Diabetes Type 2. NCFH, in coordination with Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs, has created low-literacy and culturally appropriate factsheets for Migrant Health Centers to provide patients who have been diagnosed with Diabetes Type 2. Written By: Mindy Morgan Photo: iStock There are many efforts that endeavor to illuminate the diversity of our country. It could be argued, however, that none reach further or strike the cords of humanity deeper than personal storytelling. The National Center for Farmworker Health proactively supports the work of migrant health centers and the empowerment of Agriculture Worker communities in our mission to improve health status. We remain determined to eliminate the barriers to health care and increase access for Ag Worker families to culturally appropriate, quality health care. In light of this resolve, we work actively to promote awareness regarding the American ag worker’s contribution to United States’ food production as a whole. Not all ag workers are undocumented, but many are immigrants. Many are third and fourth generation Americans. As a country comprised historically of immigrants, we think it is important to share with our community the story of one organization working to tell the stories of our country’s populations: Define American. Since its inception in 2011, Define American has been working to start and facilitate conversations regarding immigration in the United States. Part of this effort has included a series of personal vignettes, including the one below from Jose Antonio Vargas, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and the organization’s founder and co-chair. He says, “I define American as someone who works really hard,someone who is proud to be in this country and wants to contribute to it. I am independent. I pay taxes. I’m self-sufficient. I am an American.” If you have a story to tell, or want to recommend someone whose personal family journey will lend meaning to the definition of “American”, we encourage you to share also. As a first generation American, produced from two generations of orphans, I am extremely conscious of the blessings and good fortune that have marked my life and that of my children. I’ll tell my story. Look for it on Define American. Will you tell yours?
By Bobbi Ryder, NCFH President and CEO Photo: Lindsey Bachman Perhaps unlike many, my connection to the American agricultural production system exists through living relatives. In a sleepy small town in Tennessee, my grandparents still reside in a one-story, ranch-style house amidst miles of farmland, although they no longer work their land themselves or manage the harvesting of crops - and haven’t since retiring. As a child, I remember running through tall cornstalks chasing my sisters and avoiding bees. I remember small bean plants and rides on my grandpa’s John Deer tractor. I remember long discussions of the poor planting decisions of neighbors and dismay at the piece-by-piece selling of land in the area for economic survival. Even with these fond memories and close encounters with our nation’s changing food production system, I still consider my understanding of the lives of migrant and seasonal ag workers relatively infantile. Fortunately, I found my premier attendance at NCFH’s Annual Midwest Stream Forum served as a giant gateway to increasing that understanding. From explanatory sessions on how U.S. social programming addresses the unique needs of ag workers to fervent discussions of how to champion increased access to health care for this population, I found myself in a diverse community of advocates, researchers, public health leaders and front-line health service delivery workers. We were all curious to hear each other’s stories and perspectives, anxious to build on our tools for meeting the needs of those who keep America fed. This year’s Keynote Speaker, Judge Juan Antonio Chavira, provided attendees with valuable insight into the importance of accommodating, respecting and recognizing the influence of curanderismo, Mexican American folk healing, when treating some agricultural worker patients. He said our prerogative as champions of ag worker health should not be to convince someone that their way of healing is incorrect but that both fields of thought might work together to meet patients’ needs. Instead of being right, “the idea is to make people well,” he said. On behalf of NCFH, thank you so much to everyone that attended and supported this year’s event in Albuquerque. On behalf of myself, a fellow learner and growing champion, may the lessons and conversations from the forum continue to inspire us to better serve agricultural workers in innovative, respectful and culturally appropriate ways. By Lindsey Bachman Photos: Lindsey Bachman A few notable resources highlighted at this year's forum:
Join the ongoing conversation regarding increased access to quality health care for agricultural workers. Follow #MWSF2015 and #AGACCESS2020 on Twitter (@NCFHTX), Facebook and Instagram (@farmworkerhealth). This year's Midwest Stream Forum was about growing champions of migrant health. Tell us about how you champion migrant health by leaving a comment below.
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