Self-reported skin symptoms and skin-related quality of life among Latino immigrant poultry processing and other manual workers

Dermatologic Care and Skin Health of Migrant Populations in the US: A Scoping Review

Importance

Despite literature on migrant skin health globally, there remains a critical gap in understanding the dermatologic care and skin health of migrants in the US, where immigrants represent 13.9% of the population.

Objective

To understand the spectrum of dermatologic conditions reported among US migrant populations, identify considerations for dermatologic care delivery, and synthesize the current literature on skin health.

Evidence Review

PubMed, Embase, and ClasePeriodica were searched for articles published from January 2000 to December 2022 using search terms related to dermatologic conditions and migrants. Original research articles, review articles, case reports, and case series that reported on dermatologic conditions affecting migrant populations within the US and US territories were included.

Findings

Of 87 articles included, cross-sectional studies accounted for 37 (42.5%), followed by case reports and case series (36 [41.4%]), qualitative studies (3 [3.4%]), and a mixed-methods study (1 [1.1%]). Articles discussed a range of dermatologic conditions: infections (45 [51.7%]), inflammatory conditions (33 [37.9%]), traumatic wounds (16 [18.4%]), neoplasms (10 [11.5%]), pigmentary disorders (10 [11.5%]), signs of torture/violence (4 [4.6%]), cosmetic (3 [3.4%]), hair/nail disorders (1 [1.1%]), and genodermatoses (1 [1.1%]). Of 65 articles (74.6%) reporting migrants' country of origin, Mexico was most frequently reported (28 [43.0%]), followed by Guatemala (14 [21.5%]), Vietnam (8 [12.3%]), and 38 other countries. Four themes were developed: (1) exposures before and during migration were risk factors for dermatologic conditions that presented at destination; (2) occupational and environmental exposures were risk factors for dermatologic conditions that developed at destination; (3) structural factors limited migrants' access to quality health care; and (4) educational interventions targeting different learner groups were opportunities to improve skin health of migrants.

Conclusions and Relevance

This scoping review found that exposures before, during, and after migration and health care access are associated with the skin health of US migrant populations. Research opportunities include focusing on a broad spectrum of dermatologic diseases, countries of birth, occupations, and vulnerable populations, such as women and children, as well as implementing and evaluating policy that addresses structural barriers migrants face in accessing quality health care.

Teledermatology Consultation Can Optimize Treatment of Cutaneous Disease by Nondermatologists in Under-Resourced Clinics

Background: Access to dermatologists is limited for disadvantaged patients, who may receive suboptimal dermatologic care from nonspecialists. We assessed if teledermatology could improve primary care provider (PCP)-delivered care for cutaneous disease at a clinic serving uninsured patients. Materials and Methods: Utilizing the American Academy of Dermatology's free AccessDerm program, we offered store-and-forward teledermatology to PCPs, who initiated consultations at will during clinical care independent of the study. We retrospectively analyzed all consultations from 2013 to 2017 and collected patient age/sex, teledermatologist diagnosis, time to teledermatologist reply, time to next dermatology appointment, as well as PCP- and teledermatologist-proposed care plans. Results: Retrospective analysis of 131 consults revealed a 37-h mean teledermatology response-time versus a 14-day appointment wait (p < 0.00001). Teledermatologists provided a definitive care plan without in-person evaluation for 82 (65%) of completed consults and recommended interim treatments while awaiting appointments in 15 cases, thus accelerating care plan delivery in 97 cases (76%). The triage decision rate differed among diagnostic categories; deferral to in-person evaluation was more frequent for neoplasms (p < 0.0001). When PCPs specified preconsult treatment plans, 82% differed from teledermatologist-advised management. Following teledermatologist recommendations would have changed the clinical course in 70% of cases, potentially avoiding suboptimal care, including inappropriate corticosteroids, antimicrobials, and emergency room referrals. Conclusions: We found teledermatology can effectively guide PCPs in resource-limited settings by accelerating delivery of dermatologist-recommended care plans for uninsured patients. Expanding teledermatology for PCPs in under-resourced clinics has the potential to improve treatment of cutaneous disease by nonspecialists and to mitigate suboptimal care for disadvantaged patients.

Occupational health outcomes among international migrant workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Globally, there are more than 150 million international migrant workers-individuals who are employed outside of their country of origin-comprising the largest international migrant group. A substantial number of migrants work in hazardous and exploitative environments, where they might be at considerable risk of injury and ill health. However, little data on occupational health outcomes of migrant workers exist, with which to inform global policy making and delivery of health services.

METHODS

For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched Embase, MEDLINE, Ovid Global Health, and PsychINFO databases for primary research published between Jan 1, 2008, and Jan 24, 2018, reporting occupational health outcomes among international migrant workers (defined as individuals who are or have been employed outside their country of origin), without language or geographical restrictions. We excluded studies containing mixed cohorts of migrants and native workers in which migrant data could not be disaggregated, and studies that did not explicitly report migrant status. The main outcome was prevalence of occupational health outcomes (defined as any injury, mortality, or physical or psychiatric morbidity due to an individual's work or workplace environment) among international migrant workers. Summary estimates were calculated using random-effects models. The study protocol has been registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42018099465.

FINDINGS

Of the 1218 studies identified by our search, 36 studies were included in our systematic review, and 18 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The systematic review included occupational health outcomes for 12 168 international migrant workers employed in 13 countries and territories, mostly employed in unskilled manual labour. Migrant workers originated from 25 low-income and middle-income countries, and worked in the following sectors: agriculture; domestic, retail, and service sectors; construction and trade; and manufacturing and processing. Migrant workers had various psychiatric and physical morbidities, and workplace accidents and injuries were relatively common. In the meta-analysis, among 7260 international migrant workers, the pooled prevalence of having at least one occupational morbidity was 47% (95% CI 29-64; I2=99·70%). Among 3890 migrant workers, the prevalence of having at least one injury or accident, including falls from heights, fractures and dislocations, ocular injuries, and cuts was 22% (7-37; I2=99·35%).

INTERPRETATION

International migrant workers are at considerable risk of work-related ill health and injury, and their health needs are critically overlooked in research and policy. Governments, policy makers, and businesses must enforce and improve occupational health and safety measures, which should be accompanied by accessible, affordable, and appropriate health care and insurance coverage to meet the care needs of this important working population.

FUNDING

Wellcome Trust.

Discourse on culture in research on immigrant and migrant workers' health

BACKGROUND

Health and safety researchers and practitioners have proposed that cultural differences help explain inequalities between foreign and native-born workers. While cultural explanations for inequalities have long been debated in other fields, there exists little critique of cultural discourses in occupational health.

METHODS

This article examines and discusses the discourse on culture in 107 articles on immigrant or migrant workers' health published between 2011 and 2015. For each article, passages on culture were identified and analysed for both the context and the manner in which culture was discussed.

RESULTS

The discourse on culture was found to be generally simplistic, individualistic, and uncritical, intentionally or unintentionally supporting the worldview that workers' "otherness" is both cause of inequalities and target for interventions.

CONCLUSION

The article argues that empirical, theoretical and interdisciplinary work is needed to document the mechanisms and pathways that underlie health and safety inequalities by foreign-born status.