A Critical Medical Anthropology Approach to Advocating for Social Justice and Policy Change in Pesticide Use and Practice to Reduce Health Risks Among Hispanic/Latinos in Central California

• Main Author: Romero, Mariel Sintora
• Other Authors: Henry, Doug
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: University of North Texas 2015
• Subjects: Pesticides; agriculture public health; environmental health; medical anthropology; critical medical anthropology; Agricultural laborers > Health and hygiene > California.; Hispanic Americans > Health and hygiene > California.; Pesticides > Health aspects > California.; Environmental policy > California.; Social justice > California.; Agricultural industries > Environmental aspects > California.
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc804957/

This mixed methods research was conducted in the fall of 2014 to understand the perceptions and experiences of health risks and health outcomes due to pesticide exposure among community members (n=13) - concerned community members, agriculture workers and teachers- that live in the Central California agriculture counties of Monterey, Santa Cruz, Tulare, Fresno and Madera. This research explored: 1) The crops growing in participants’ communities, and how exposure to pesticides used in these crops pose potential health risks to participants and their communities 2) How pesticide exposure is impacting Hispanic/Latino communities in Central California, particularly those that are most vulnerable including school children, agriculture workers, and community members 3) The major public health concerns of impacted communities 4) Feelings of empowered to advocate for community health and environment and 5) What impacted communities wish to see on behalf of government and agribusiness to protect public health from pesticide exposure and toxins.