Health Navigation Barriers and Workforce Retention in Pacific Northwest Fishing Communities: A Needs Assessment for Community-Based Intervention

Commercial fishing presents health challenges that extend beyond injury prevention. Recent research demonstrates significant mental health impacts, musculoskeletal disorders, and healthcare navigation barriers affecting both individual well-being and workforce retention. Studies show that roughly 40% of fishermen report that pain significantly impedes their sleep, while governance and policy factors create additional health implications for fishing families.

This project aims to:

• Document comprehensive healthcare navigation barriers affecting PNW fishing families through mixed-methods data collection. 

• Analyze connections between health access challenges and workplace safety through stakeholder interviews. 

• Evaluate the transferability of the Community Health Worker (CHW) model from New England to PNW contexts through systematic assessment and CHW training completion. 

• Develop evidence-based recommendations for community-based health interventions with a specific focus on sustainable CHW implementation strategies. 

Survey data collection is ongoing, with approximately 100 surveys completed to date across Astoria, Newport (OR), and the Seattle Safety Fair. Project Investigators are targeting 125–130 surveys by the end of September 2026. 

Products:

• Finalized survey instrument (Fishing Family Health & Wellness Survey)

• Key informant interview protocol and guide 

• Interim findings document summarizing survey data and interview themes

Publications in development:

Project Investigators are preparing a manuscript with the working title, Healthcare Access Barriers Among Pacific Northwest Commercial Fishing Families: A Mixed-Methods Needs Assessment for submission to the Journal of Agromedicine or Journal of Rural Health, anticipated publication in Winter/Spring 2027.