Implementing Community-Led Interventions with Gulf Coast Seafood Workers

Last updated on December 7th, 2024 at 11:57 am

Summary: The University of Texas Medical Branch conducted semi-structured interviews and observations with Gulf Coast shrimp fishermen to understand their healthcare experiences and needs as well as policies that are impacting their health. Community-based participatory research (CBPR), a relational model that values the participants as equal partners in research, dissemination, and implementation, guided the interviews.

To address the lack of healthcare options for (im)migrants, and at the request of the seafood workers participating in the ongoing CBPR study, we successfully implemented and treated workers through a free mobile clinic. Many of these individuals had not been seen by a healthcare provider in years, highlighting the importance of community trust and rapport building when addressing interconnected health and safety issues. CBPR, when applied to high-risk occupational settings with underreached populations (e.g., (im)migrant workers), can improve health and prevent injury.

Objectives: At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the healthcare experiences and needs of (im)migrant seafood workers.
  • Describe the principles of CBPR and how it can be applied to total worker health research.
  • Discuss the difficulties of CBPR and ways to ensure the community is equitably engaged in all aspects of research-to-practice partnerships.

Intended Audience: Researchers, Practitioners, or Policymakers

Continuing Education:

The Midwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety offers 0.10 CEU or 1.0 contact hour/s of participation. This course is eligible for 1.0 CPH Recertification Credits and is sponsored by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, an approved provider of CPH Recertification Credits by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. The following groups of professionals have been able to use these CEUs in the past; Industrial Hygiene (CIH), Certified Public Health Professional (CPH), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Nursing (RN, LPN), Social Work (LSW), Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT), Audiology (ABA), and others. Please contact your accrediting agency regarding any questions about receiving credits.

Categories: DEIA, Fishing
Video.