Economic and health needs of Wisconsin migrant farm workers

Migrant farm workers play an essential role in the planting and harvesting of crops in our agricultural production system. In the United States today, about 6 percent of the paid farm labor force "follow the crops" across the nation. This article reports on the economic and health care needs of migrant farm workers who travel from the border areas of Texas to Wisconsin each year. Surveys conducted in 1978 and 1989 show that this population remains in serious need of health care and access to financial assistance programs. During the 11-year interval between surveys, little change occurred in the health care status or use patterns of Wisconsin migrant workers, although housing and sanitary conditions in the work environment improved somewhat due to the passage of new federal regulations. This article discusses the problems and barriers that migrants continue to face and offers recommendations for government action.