Review of Research on High-Priority Populations at Risk - Agriculture Forestry and Fishing Research at NIOSH - page 69

sample of emergency department records. Important data were collected in the
surveys. However, comparison of results across the surveys has been hampered by
differences in data collection procedures, in definitions of target populations, and
in denominators. MSD studies were more comprehensive and included plans for
dissemination of information and for community involvement.
A majority of the activities conducted in the extramural programs and partner-
ships were investigator-initiated research project grants (R01 grants) and included
support for conferences and interactions with extramural partners. The R01 com-
ponent was strong and involved different centers, such as the National Children's
Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety (NCCRAHS), a center that
conducts research on children's agricultural injury prevention. Research in the
center has produced measurable results in the form of qualitative and quantitative
outcomes. The materials produced from the childhood agricultural initiative have
been referenced and used in outreach activities. Conferences were useful for sharing
experiences and ideas among the different centers and extramural participants.
Minority Populations
Under the assumption that different minority farmworker groups face different
hazards, the AFF Program has studied American Indians, Hispanic and Latino hired
laborers and orchard workers, and minority farm operators, including Hispanics
and African Americans. Cultural factors and conceptions of health and disease in
minority group workers have been proposed as affecting the underreporting of
various conditions. Further, different agricultural activities have been associated
with different hazards. For example, the variety of jobs that orchard workers per-
form at different times of the year, the long working hours involved in these jobs,
and the strenuous working conditions (such as carrying heavy containers up and
down ladders) are some of the possible causes cited for high rates of illness and
injury. In addition, changes in agricultural practices among certain populations
may also lead to changes in the hazards in a specific population. An example of
this is the move among Navajo from subsistence farming to cattle ranching. These
types of changes require monitoring and quick response to reduce the risks among
the worker populations involved.
In 1995, NIOSH convened a panel of experts on hired farm workers. Three
years later, the panel issued its report and made recommendations for surveillance.
Several high-priority subjects were identified, including MSDs, pesticide-related
conditions, traumatic injuries, respiratory conditions, dermatitis, infectious dis-
eases, cancer, eye conditions, and mental health. In 1998, an Occupational Health
Supplement was developed to be included in the National Agricultural Workers
Survey (NAWS) in collaboration with government organizations including DOL,