Migrant Farm Communities: Culture, Education, Nutrition And Health Consequences

This study researches the healthcare disparities in migrant farm workers of NJ following a series of field observations within the local clinics and community settings of Hammonton , NJ. Through preliminary readings and research on past studies of the local migrant communities in NJ, specific health issues emerge which are unique within migrant groups, unseen in Mexicans who do not migrate, yet seldom noted in those who immigrate to the U.S. permanently. Cultural and language barriers present themselves within the recent health and education initiatives in this area of study. The link between the cultural and language barriers which exist and the healthcare disparities which result is a very complex set of processes, which require further study, in order to more specifically target the elements in need of change with regard to the existing health and education initiatives for migrant communities. Migrant farm workers represent a unique set of cultural variables within a home which is not actually their home, living among people in a community, in which they are not really a part, resulting in marginalization and isolation which fuels doubt and distrust in the systems in place, resulting in health disparities. Language and cultural barriers prevent otherwise reasonable health initiatives from success in migrant communities, mainly from misunderstandings by both the migrants and the healthcare workers