University of California, Davis Farmer Health Study: 1993–2006

Details

• Personal Author:
  Armitage TL ; Mitchell DC ; Schenker MB
• Description:
  Introduction: Although California is the leading agricultural state, few health studies have considered the broad range of Californian farmers. The UC Davis Farmer Health Study followed a randomly chosen statewide cohort with an aim to identify the prevalence and risk factors for acute and chronic disease. Methods: 1,947 California farmers were interviewed by telephone in 1993, with follow-up surveys in 1998 (N=1349) and 2004 (N=866). Sub-studies using pulmonary function testing were completed in 1996 and 2003. Subjects answered questions on farming tasks, environmental exposures, and their health status. Both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses tested associations between risk factors and health outcomes, adjusting for age and relevant covariates. Death rates were compared between farmers and the general California population. Results: A selection of major findings follow: Farming time in dusty conditions was independently associated with the prevalence of persistent wheeze in 1993 (high dust exposure OR = 1.9, (95% CI = 1.1-3.3), and persistent wheeze was associated with a decline in work ability (p=0.0001) in a multivariate model. Those with respiratory symptoms in 1993 significantly reduced time in dust by 14% (95% CI = 7.2-20.7), the symptomless only by 3% (95% CI =0.5-4.7). Sprains and strains were the most common injury (42.9%). Risk factors for injury include previous injury, medium or high exertion level and workshop activity. Of 1797 tracked subjects, 233 (13%) were deceased by 2005. In 1998, adjusting for age, 35 male deaths were expected while only 22 were observed. Conclusions: Major risk factors exist for farmers, especially with respect to injury and respiratory health. Effective communication of these risks and preventative measures must be the next priority. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Agriculture Cohort Studies Dust Farmers Musculoskeletal Diseases Occupational Health Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety
• Keywords:
  Agricultural Industry Agricultural Safety Cohort Studies Dust Exposure Farm Workers Injuries MSD Musculoskeletal Disorders Risk Factors
• Publisher:
  Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  California ; OSHA Region 9
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  4
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20059762
• Citation:
  Health & safety in Western agriculture: research to practice, September 20-22, 2006, Pacific Grove, California. Davis, CA: Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety, 2006 Sep; :4
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2006
• Performing Organization:
  University of California - Davis
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20010930
• Source Full Name:
  Health & safety in Western agriculture: research to practice, September 20-22, 2006, Pacific Grove, California
• End Date:
  20270929
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:e3c336fd82588c661238a275425b7e784d0a9c70680424f609901da3eac6d7217dbed79bafb6e1d6bf30de4f9373531c6a48d1eb6ad2259d055c4e31f7216540
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/223859/cdc_223859_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 261.32 KB ]