Healthy from Tips To Toes: Strategies to Address Occupational Hazards Among Oregon’s Vietnamese Nail Technicians
Abstract
Nail technicians experience an increased risk for adverse respiratory health outcomes due to long-term, irregular exposure to various chemical agents in the nail salon. However, nail technicians who identify as Vietnamese experience a disproportionately higher risk for adverse respiratory health outcomes when compared to their white counterparts due to systemic racism. Additionally, Vietnamese nail technicians hold low bargaining power relative to salon owners due to the cosmetology industry's organizational structure.
The author proposes a program plan on mitigating the risk for adverse respiratory health outcomes among Vietnamese nail technicians in the Portland Metro area. The plan draws upon Social Cognitive Theory to select practical and appropriate hazard prevention controls to change the environments of six salons in the Portland Metro area. These controls include a ventilation system and receptacles for safe chemical disposal. A health education program will follow the installation of the controls. Finally, the plan proposes reinstating the former Oregon Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative to increase cross-sector collaboration and systems change.
Healthy from Tips To Toes: Strategies to Address Occupational Hazards Among Oregon’s Vietnamese Nail Technicians
Nail technicians experience an increased risk for adverse respiratory health outcomes due to long-term, irregular exposure to various chemical agents in the nail salon. However, nail technicians who identify as Vietnamese experience a disproportionately higher risk for adverse respiratory health outcomes when compared to their white counterparts due to systemic racism. Additionally, Vietnamese nail technicians hold low bargaining power relative to salon owners due to the cosmetology industry's organizational structure.
The author proposes a program plan on mitigating the risk for adverse respiratory health outcomes among Vietnamese nail technicians in the Portland Metro area. The plan draws upon Social Cognitive Theory to select practical and appropriate hazard prevention controls to change the environments of six salons in the Portland Metro area. These controls include a ventilation system and receptacles for safe chemical disposal. A health education program will follow the installation of the controls. Finally, the plan proposes reinstating the former Oregon Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative to increase cross-sector collaboration and systems change.