The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
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There are estimated to be as many as 4 million migratory, seasonal farmworkers in the United States, comprised of a variety of races and cultures. Often the migrant family is besieged and weakened by sporadic unemployment and loss of extended family support systems. Because income may be irregular and often falls below the national poverty level, a considerable amount of insecurity exists regarding food, clothing, shelter, transportation, health care and other essentials. Some have difficulty proving claims for Social Security benefits. Children may be forced or encouraged to contribute to the financial needs of the family, and may not remain in school beyond the minimum legal age.
Race and level of income and education contribute to differences in health care service utilization. Minority populations and those with lower levels of income and education utilize thehealth care system less frequently. Nonwhite populations spend fewer days in the hospital, see a physician less often, and are more often treated in outpatient or emergency departments. Exposure to pesticides and infectious diseases, and life in crowded, substandard housing place the migrant population at high risk for a multitude of complex health problems.
In an effort to address this problem, the Migrant Health Act of 1962 provided federally funded health care services in medically underserved areas throughout the United States and its territories. Grants were given to over 120 community based and state organizations to facilitate comprehensive medical care services with a culturally sensitive focus on migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families.This program not only to serves this special needs population, but also protects farm community residents from prevalent communicable diseases and assists the often overburdened rural health care systems.