Mexican Immigration to California: Agricultural Safety and Acculturation (MICASA) Study
Hired farm workers provide the majority of the workforce for California's labor-intensive agricultural sector, and they also suffer the greatest health burden. California's hired farm workers face increased risks of morbidity and mortality from respiratory disease, musuloskeletal problems, infectious diseases, and stress-related mental health disorders. The Mexican Immigration to California: Agricultural Safety and Acculturation (MICASA) Study, a population-based random sample of 400 hired farm worker families from Mendota, in California's Central Valley addresses these questions. The Mendota community was chosen because of its large proportion of immigrants from Mexico and Central America and very high proportion of agricultural workers. We are currently in the field collecting baseline information on demographics, occupational and environmental risk factors, diet, food handling practices, food security, acculturation, smoking status, and health outcomes (respiratory health, injuries, mental health, and reproductive health) among the hired farm worker families in this community.
The Exposure Science Group is involved to conduct an exposure measurement field campaign to assess the exposure to particulate matter for the most common commodities and agricultural tasks completed by this population. They will also study a sub-set of participants to determine which exposure pathways are most critical for exposure to pesticides in this community.