The Need for Targeted Surveys of Farmworkers: A Comparison of the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) and the California Agricultural Worker Health Survey (CAWHS)
Author: Mines, Richard
Date Published: 2005
This report demonstrates that conventional statewide surveys, even well designed and competently run surveys cannot be used to develop policy and program guidance for California’s farmworkers. Surveys designed for the general population will inevitably select a biased sample of farmworkers. This bias takes the form of, on average, excluding that portion of the farmworker population that has lower income and less access to health care than their more fortunate fellow workers. As a result of this bias, policy and program analysts and implementers who rely on this information receive a distorted view of what services are needed and how to make those services effective among farmworkers.
Date Published: 2005
This report demonstrates that conventional statewide surveys, even well designed and competently run surveys cannot be used to develop policy and program guidance for California’s farmworkers. Surveys designed for the general population will inevitably select a biased sample of farmworkers. This bias takes the form of, on average, excluding that portion of the farmworker population that has lower income and less access to health care than their more fortunate fellow workers. As a result of this bias, policy and program analysts and implementers who rely on this information receive a distorted view of what services are needed and how to make those services effective among farmworkers.
