Who is at Risk Amid the H5N1 Influenza Outbreak? Characteristics and Health Coverage of Animal Production Workers Josh Michaud, Drishti Pillai, Samantha Artiga, and Jennifer Kates Published: May 21, 2024

https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/issue-brief/who-is-at-risk-amid-the-h5n1-influenza-outbreak-characteristics-and-health-coverage-of-animal-production-workers/?utm_campaign=KFF-Global-Health-Policy&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Pfc73OUEnUbtjP4ptgOlLFUtZzmYU1fz3T5VtqFkSjkU_IWNQ7TCRX4VeTt3BKgcuxNRwlwzHVDb67snyxX_RMgp54A&_hsmi=308018574&utm_content=308018574&utm_source=hs_email CONTACT: Mikhaila Richards | 202.654.1328 | MRichards@kff.org KFF Examines Who’s at Risk in the H5N1 Influenza Outbreak As the H5N1 bird flu outbreak on the nation’s dairy farms becomes more widespread and amid mounting concerns about exposure among farm workers, KFF analyzed 2022 American Community Survey data to identify the characteristics of farm workers who work with animals and assess who’s at risk in the H5N1 influenza outbreak. Our analysis found that animal production workers, including dairy farm workers, are more likely than U.S. workers overall to be uninsured, have limited English proficiency, and have lower household incomes (less than $40,000 per year). Animal production workers are also more likely to be Hispanic and noncitizen immigrants.