New Jersey Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers: Enumeration and Access to Healthcare Study

Abstract

Despite the demanding physical labor Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers (MSFW) provide to meet consumer demands and keep the nation's agricultural industry gainful, MSFWs are the most economically disadvantaged population in the nation. MSFWs lack sufficient access to health care and suffer more illnesses than the general population. Besides the difficulties in providing adequate health care to this population, enumeration of MSFWs has been an even greater challenge due to their mobility and illegal status. Through the analysis of secondary data sources, this study looks to approximate the number of MSFWs in the state of New Jersey and to investigate MSFW access to health care. Farm workers are a vital part of not only New Jersey's agricultural economy but also the entire nation's economy. Understanding the health needs of this population, and knowing the number of individuals that comprise this population, would not only help eliminate many health problems but it also would better prepare health officials in meeting the needs of the MSFW population.