Achieving farmworker health equity in Colombia: A participatory approach to identifying needs and strategies

Abstract

Farmworkers, who are essential to the global food supply chain, are often exposed to a range of occupational hazards that can have negative impacts on their health. Hazards include exposure to pesticides, long working hours, and physical strain, among others. Unfortunately, farmworkers, particularly those in low- and middle-income countries, often lack access to basic healthcare services and face numerous health inequities. Colombia is no exception. The country's agricultural sector is an important part of its economy, but farmworkers in Colombia face significant health challenges. Many work long hours in difficult conditions and lack access to basic healthcare services. To address such challenges, there is a need for greater awareness and action targeting global farmworker health inequities, specifically in Colombia. The study’s purpose was to reach consensus among community health workers who serve farmworkers in Colombia on the most pervasive barriers to healthcare access and quality of care, as well as on effective strategies linked to those barriers. Using the Delphi technique, seven barriers and five strategies achieved consensus. The results provide insights for key stakeholders such as extension educators to consider in the development of policy and practice intended to overcome relevant barriers and advance health equity among farmworkers.