Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, farmworkers in Mexico and worldwide were deemed essential to the economy and continued in-person work. Consequently, farmworkers have been at greater risk for COVID-19 than the general population. Most studies on the disproportionate burden of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality among farmworkers have been conducted in the U.S. and Europe, and little is known about the risk to farmworkers in low- to middle- income countries (LMICs) like Mexico.
Mexico is the world's largest producer of avocados, accounting for approximately 45% of global production. About 85% of avocados from Mexico are grown in the state of Michoacan. Nevertheless, the health effects of pesticide exposure among avocado workers have not been previously assessed. In this study, we aimed to (i) initiate a binational collaboration, integrating the extensive experience of the UC Berkeley researchers with their long-term investigations of farmworkers in California, and the Mexican researchers with their comprehensive understanding of the local context and avocado farming; (ii) assess COVID-19 knowledge, obstacles to preventive behaviors at work and at home, and mental health effects of this pandemic among farmworkers from Michoacán; and (iii) determine whether pesticide exposure affects the neurobehavioral and respiratory health of workers from avocado farms in Michoacán.
Study at a Glance |
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