Survey finds migrant workers lack health care
BURLINGTON, Vt. --Mexican workers employed at Vermont dairy farms don't get seek medical care until their problems become too severe to ignore, a new report says.
The delay in seeking treatment is caused by a language barrier and lack of Spanish translator, fear of being deported, an unwillingness to take time off from work and a lack of transportation, the Health Department study says.
"Because of the horrible climate of fear, when these people become ill they don't get treated," said Cheryl Mitchell, a former Human Services Agency deputy secretary, who put together the report for the Health Department. "They put it off, put it off. We need to let people know that."
The study called "Assessing the Health Status, Health Care Needs and Barriers to Care for Migrant Farm Labor" focuses on the unmet health care needs of nearly 2,000 migrant farm workers in Vermont, including the 49 Mexicans working at Addison, Franklin and Grand Isle county farms.
State agriculture officials say the Mexican farm workers, most of whom are believed to have entered the country illegally, are critical to the viability of the dairy industry. A 2005 Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets study found that 75 percent of the milk produced in the state comes farms where Mexican employees work.
"We are talking about the health of workers who are directly involved in producing food that goes to Vermonters and to the rest of the nation," Mitchell said. "This is really a public health concern."
Among the cases described in the report are:
A Mexican worker in St. Albans who had a painful eye infection that caused blurry vision. He was later diagnosed with tuberculosis uveitis.
"I know treatment was started," said Dr. Scott Nelson, a second-year resident family practice physician at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington. But Nelson said he doesn't know if the man received follow-up treatment or if his co-workers were tested for tuberculosis.
A Mexican working at an Addison County farm who had digestive problems he thought were caused by worms or parasites.
"Asked if he sought out medical care, he says, 'I don't know anyone to drive me. ... I don't know how to explain this to my patron (boss). ... The most important thing is to get medicine. I don't eat, and I fear that it will return," the report said.
Another Mexican employee in Franklin County who used a pair of pliers to pull out a painful decaying molar. Less than 50 percent of workers surveyed had ever visited a dentist, the report said.
Christine Finley, the state's deputy health commissioner, said she was reviewing the report but didn't know how Health Department could improve health care access for the Mexican farm workers because of their undocumented status.
"We are still dealing with illegal immigrants here," she said. "We also have to respect the rule of law."
