Five on Friday: Farmworkers, Climate, and Mental Health
It’s our first issue of Five on Friday for 2026! It’s a new year to fight for health, well-being, and access to compassionate care for everyone in our communities. It is needed now more than ever. As we do this difficult work, we turn to each other for updates on the rapidly shifting world of migrant and immigrant health. Much can be missed amid the relentless pace and high‑stakes nature of the news overall. That’s why we offer Five on Friday, where we share five resources/articles/videos/upcoming events that have been recommended by Migrant Clinicians Network staff.
Esther sent this NPR article on the work of a consortium of 10 research institutions on the most pressing questions from survivors of the LA fires, which occurred a year ago.
Link: The Long-Term Health Impacts from the LA Wildfires are Just Becoming Clear
Mario recommended this upcoming webinar from partner organizations Health Outreach Partners and Farmworker Justice on February 3rd. Register on the Zoom link.
Link: Community Engagement to Improve Mental Health in Agricultural Worker Communities
Claire shared the AP News article on the pause on immigrant visas. While this affects those who were hoping to immigrate, it also affects their families, who were hoping their relatives could join them here. In related news, advocate groups are watching for a final rule on public charge in early 2026, which will have a significant impact on immigrant care services access.
Link: US Suspends Immigrant Visa Processing from 75 Countries over Public Assistance
Claire also forwarded this new database from Climate Central, tracking billion-dollar disasters in the US, after governmental tracking of these data ceased.
Link: U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters
Weekly Win: The public health world has sustained numerous and massive cuts, but some of those cuts, in funding and workforce, have been rescinded through courts. Here’s the latest from Inside Medicine, shared by Amy: HHS reinstated the jobs of staff members of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a big win for worker health and protection.
Link: Breaking: CDC/NIOSH Employees Reinstated