Agricultural workers are fundamental to the US food system and feeding the country. However, the first labor laws in the 1930s excluded agricultural workers at the federal level. While some states expanded labor protections for agricultural workers, many have not.
The February session of Hot Topics in Practice will discuss legal epidemiology methods used to measure how agricultural workers are differentially included in labor laws. Three labor protections– workers’ compensation, minimum wage, and overtime pay – were measured for inclusivity of agricultural workers across 39 states, to create a labor law equity index. In this hour-long webinar, the presenter will discuss the importance of understanding the status of laws to help monitor how labor protections shape health for agricultural workers across the country. States with higher scores indicate more inclusive or protective laws, while states with lower scores indicate fewer protective laws. By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to explain the ways agricultural workers have been historically excluded from labor protections and other workers benefits and have a better understanding of legal epidemiology as a field of study.
Register today to learn about the Work Equity Research Center’s study on labor laws and steps you can take to apply legal epidemiology methods to your work.
Date
February 25th, 2025, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. (Pacific)
Intended Audiences
Local, state, and tribal public health practitioners
Presenters
Erica Chavez Santos, PhD, MPH
Occupational Health Equity Researcher
Work Equity Research Center, WA State Department of Labor & Industries Safety & Health Assessment & Research for Prevention
About Hot Topics in Practice
Hot Topics in Practice is a monthly webinar forum to discuss issues affecting public health practice.
Up to 1 CPH recertification credit may be earned by viewing this webinar. Visit the National Board of Public Health Examiners to learn more.