The Migrant Health Act was enacted in September 1962 by Public Law 87-692, which added section 310 to the Public Health Service Act.  The Migrant Health Center (MHC) program provides a broad array of medical and support services to migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families.  The Migrant Health Program (MHP) is currently authorized under section 330g of the Public Health Service Act.

MISSION

The MHC and MHP provide migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families access to comprehensive medical care services with a culturally sensitive focus.

Migrant farmworkers have some of this Nation's most severe health and social problems and are at greater risk than the general population because of poverty, malnutrition, infectious diseases, exposure to pesticides, and poor housing.  The size of the racially and culturally diverse farmworker labor force is difficult to determine, but it is estimated there may be as many as 1.5 million migratory workers and 2.5 million seasonal workers.  Migrant health service levels are reflected in year-round, seasonal, and temporary (4-6 months) migrant health service delivery models.

ACTIVITIES

• MHC and MHP services may include primary care, preventive health care, transportation, outreach, dental, pharmaceutical, and environmental health.  These programs use lay outreach workers, bilingual, bicultural health personnel, and culturally appropriate protocols often developed by the Migrant Clinicians Network.
• They also provide prevention-oriented and pediatric care at MHCs, such as immunizations, well baby care, and developmental screenings.