Intent on improving the health conditions of migrating people in California and around the world, the University of California’s Berkeley and Davis campuses are joining forces to launch a new Migration and Health Research Center.

The new center will focus on conducting and sponsoring research related to acute and chronic illnesses and injuries among migrating people. The resulting research discoveries will be made available to help guide public policy aimed at alleviating such health problems.

Research studies involving immigrants of many ethnic backgrounds will address a broad spectrum of issues including domestic violence; alcohol, tobacco and substance abuse; diabetes and other nutrition-related diseases; occupational health and safety; and chronic disorders such as heart and lung disease.

“Immigrant workers have significantly higher rates of occupational injury and illness, yet have less access to health care,” said center director Marc Schenker, a professor in UC Davis’ Department of Public Health Sciences.

More information: www.news.ucdavis.edu