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
  • Agriculture
  • Farm workers
  • Risk factors
  • Musculoskeletal disorders
  • MSD
  • Injuries
  • Dust exposure
  • Cohort studies
• 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
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/223859/cdc_223859_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 261.32 KB]
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:e3c336fd82588c661238a275425b7e784d0a9c70680424f609901da3eac6d7217dbed79bafb6e1d6bf30de4f9373531c6a48d1eb6ad2259d055c4e31f7216540