Érica Chavez Santos, a Health Services Ph.D. student in the Occupational Health Services Research (OHSR) Training Program, is researching the association of labor and social determinant-related laws and agricultural workers’ health. The goal of her work is to address the knowledge gap about the impact of labor laws on agricultural workers’ health.
Santos is quick to point out that her background is the lens’ through which she works and is what motivates her to share what she learns with her family and community.
“One of the beautiful things about qualitative work is getting to interact and work with the people most affected … People are so generous with their time and because I’m also from the same community, I look like them, it’s easy for them to see their daughters, niece, or other family in me. I’ve been really touched at how willing people have been to be a part of this study, it wouldn’t be possible without them.”
— Érica Chavez Santos