NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search

Housing characteristics of farmworker families in North Carolina.

Early-J; Davis-SW; Quandt-SA; Rao-P; Snively-BM; Arcury-TA

J Immigr Minor Health 2006 Apr; 8(2):173-184

http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10903-006-8525-1

20030271

Adequate housing is a basic human right and an important determinant of environmental health. Little research has documented the housing quality of immigrant Latino farmworker families. This analysis uses data from four surveys of North Carolina farmworker communities conducted in 2001 and 2003 to document aspects of housing quality that could affect farmworker family health. Three housing domains are considered: dwelling characteristics, household characteristics, and household behaviors. Most farmworker families live in mobile homes, and few own their dwellings. Many are located near agricultural fields. Most houses are small, but household size is large, containing adults, in addition to the nuclear family. Crowding is common among farmworker families. Many farmworker households lack basic facilities, such as washing machines. Farmworkers attempt to reduce exposure by frequently cleaning their dwellings. These findings suggest that the health of farmworker families is at risk due to inadequate housing. Further research on housing-related health effects among farmworker families is needed.

Farmers; Families; Agriculture; Agricultural-workers; Agricultural-industry; Environmental-health; Occupational-health; Demographic-characteristics; Racial-factors

JIHEF5

20060401

Journal Article

tarcury@wfubmc.edu

Grant

2006

Grant-Number-R25-OH-007611

2

1557-1912

Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health

NC

Wake Forest University