title: Access to and Disparities in Care among Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers (MSFWs) at U.S. Health Centers.
abstract: This study describes the characteristics of migrant and seasonal farm workers (MSFWs) served by federally-funded health centers and examines disparities in access to primary and preventive care between migrant health center (MHC) and community health center (CHC) program patients.
  
  
  
  Cross-sectional analysis of the 2009 Health Center Patient Survey which has 2212 and 831 patients from CHC and MHC program patients, respectively.
  
  
  
  Our study showed that the MHC program provided comparable health care access and quality for MSFWs relative to CHC patients. However, there were challenges with access to primary care, such as getting timely medical and dental care and prescription medicine.
  
  
  
  These results affirmed the role of health centers in providing high-quality primary care and reducing disparities. However, continual efforts are needed to enhance access to and quality of care for MSFWs.
authors.forename: Ruwei
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Leiyu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: De-Chih
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Geraldine Pierre
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Haile
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003729:Dental Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D000067565:Farmers; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055553:Prescription Drugs; D011315:Preventive Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D064876:Safety-net Providers / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D012621:Seasons; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014171:Transients and Migrants; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D055553:Prescription Drugs