Research Symposium

BIO

My name is Hefina Oliver and I am a second-year student at Florida State University. I will be starting FSU’s nursing program in Fall 2025 and plan to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree after earning my BSN and gaining work experience. I have a strong interest in medical research and innovation and hope to contribute to advancements in patient care. I would also like to study the influence of immigration status on access to healthcare and clinical outcomes. My current project examines how heat-related illness in farmworkers (many of whom are foreign born) is presented in the media and the narratives that shape public perception.

The Politics of Heat: How Farmworker Heat Illness is Framed in Public Discourse

Abstract

Farmworkers, particularly those from immigrant backgrounds, face disproportionately high risks of heat-related illness and fatalities due to extreme working conditions, climate change, and insufficient workplace protections. Despite these risks, public narratives often deflect responsibility from systemic failures by attributing blame to the workers themselves, ultimately shaping policy decisions and public perception. This study employs a systematic content analysis of media discourse from 2017 to 2022, analyzing a sample of news articles and blogs to identify recurring themes and framing strategies. By categorizing specific language and topics, the study examines how heat-related illness is represented in media reports and its implications for policy advocacy. Findings reveal that no singular entity is consistently held accountable for these illnesses, and the issue is frequently leveraged to discuss broader issues such as climate change, labor rights, and immigration policy. The variability in framing underscores the complexity of factors contributing to farmworker heat illness and mortality. This research highlights the need for stronger legislative protections and a shift in public discourse toward systemic accountability.

Keywords: Heat-illness, farmworkers, climate