Migrant agricultural workers are a vital and often overlooked population whose health can affect that of U.S. inhabitants in general. The nature of the farm worker population, however, places this group at a disadvantage in formation of policy to promote its interests. Following World War II, government agency “infighting” prevented the emergence of a coherent policy for farm worker health. Improvements were made during the socially active 1960s, but these have been eroded as immigrants are increasingly distrusted in U.S. society. This article briefly traces the history of migrant farm worker health policy in the United States, applies a model for policy analysis, reviews farm worker health policy research, and proposes a plan of action to advance health policy for this population.
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