The Health Impacts Of Domestic Labor On Women Workers In Massachusetts

Domestic workers, including housekeepers, nannies, and home health aides, are critical caregivers in the United States while also being among the most marginalized workers. National studies suggest that domestic workers face health challenges related to their lack of legal protections. This study used a modified community-based participatory action research (CBPAR) approach to characterize the health and well-being of domestic workers in Massachusetts. Focus groups and key informant interviews were conducted with 32 domestic workers from diverse language and racial/ethnic backgrounds, and three employers. The results suggest that domestic workers in Massachusetts face multiple health risks and could benefit from changes in the workplace and policy. Additional research is needed to examine the health of workers over time and to further characterize the role of employers. (C) 2017 by The Transformative Studies Institute. All rights reserved.