'Global migration has dramatically increased over the past decade and is at an all-time high, approaching 200 million persons per year Demographics and economic interdependence suggest that immigration will continue for the near future at record high levels. A review of the few studies that have investigated occupational injury and illness rates among immigrant populations,' scientists writing in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine report (see also Industrial Medicine).
'Existing data indicate that higher rates of fatal and non-fatal injuries are common compared to native populations. This increase is in part due to immigrants working in higher risk occupations (e.g., agriculture, construction), but occupational morbidity and mortality is higher among immigrants than native-born workers within occupational categories. Research is needed to identify the causes of increased risk among immigrants and to provide direction to effective public health interventions,' wrote M.B. Schenker and colleagues, University of California.
The researchers concluded: 'Research methods must be adapted to different epidemiologic characteristics of immigrant populations, including lack of standard sampling frames, different language and culture from the dominant culture, and precarious work status. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:329-337, 2010.'
Schenker and colleagues published their study in American Journal of Industrial Medicine (A Global Perspective of Migration and Occupational Health. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 2010;53(4):329-337).
Additional information can be obtained by contacting M.B. Schenker, University of California, Dept. of Public Health Science, 1 Shields Avenue, MS1-C, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
The publisher of the American Journal of Industrial Medicine can be contacted at: Wiley-Liss, Division John Wiley & Sons Inc., 111 River St., Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA.
Keywords: City:Davis, State:CA, Country:United States, Industrial
Medicine
This article was prepared by Health & Medicine Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2010, Health & Medicine Week via NewsRx.com.
