By Paul Norrad, DrPH RN presentation for UT Extension and Family Consumer Sciences Tennessee Farm Family Health and Wellness Program Session 2 Health Issues Affecting Farm Families Jan 20, 2022
4. Traumatic Farm Injuries
• Traumatic farm injuries are the leading cause of death and
disability in agriculture. (BLS, 2021; Leigh, 2014; Hunsucker, 2021)
• 80% of farm deaths involve machinery.
• 40,900 non-fatal traumatic injuries during 2020 (BLS, 2021)
• Estimated 143,436 injuries and illnesses go unreported.
12. Respiratory Illnesses
• Chronic respiratory illness typically
diagnosed in the 40’s.
• Maybe overlooked or written off until
damage is complete though signs &
symptoms are present early on.
• Frequently associated with long-term
disability later in life.
• Contributes to:
• Heart problems
• Frequent medical visits
• Activity and work intolerance
13. Causes of Farm
Respiratory
Illness
• Organic dusts
• Grain
• Animal particulate
(manure, droppings,
dander)
• Hay and straw
• Bedding
• Endotoxins (bacteria)
• Grain dust
• Animal bedding
• Hay and straw
14. Causes of Farm
Respiratory Illness
• Pesticides and Herbicides
• Particulate matter
• Diesel exhaust
• Plowing, tilling, and planting
• Fertilizers
• Fumes and gases
16. Farm Related
Cancers
• Farmers typically healthier than other populations.
• In general, farmers have lower rates of cancer overall.
• Lung
• Bladder
• Colon
• However, certain types of cancers are prominent in farming populations
17. Farm Related Cancers
• Skin
• Prostate
• Leukemias (blood)
• Hodgkin’s (lymph system)
• Brain
• Lip
• Lung (Central Appalachian
region of KY & TN)
• Myelomas (blood plasma)
• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Breast
• Stomach
18. Causes of Farm
Related Cancers
• Skin: unprotected sun exposure.
• Prostate: suggested; pesticide and fertilizer
exposures, other environmental exposures
• Leukemias: Chlordane, Lindane, DDT/DDE,
simazine, dieldrin.
• Hodgkin’s: Chlorophenols, DDT/DDE, dioxin
contaminated phenoxy herbicides, solvents.
• Brain: N-nitroso compounds (fertilizers),
parental exposure to pesticides.
• Lip: suggested; animal and viral exposures.
21. Noise Induced
Hearing Loss
• Farmers experience hearing loss more than ANY other occupation.
• 78% of surveyed farmers report hearing loss.
• 25 % of male farmers incur hearing handicaps by age 30. (Karlovich, 1988; Knoblock, 1998; Ehlers, 2011)
• Almost 50% have a hearing handicap by age 50. (Karlovich, 1988; Knoblock, 1998; Ehlers, 2011)
22. Noise Induced Hearing
Loss
• Hearing loss develops gradually because damage to
cochlea hair cells.
• Hair cell damage is both metabolic and mechanical.
• Decibels, duration, and distance of the sound.
• Example: unprotected use of chainsaw for 5 minutes exceeds
the ability of the ear to protect against the noise.
• Once hearing loss occurs in the speech frequencies--
1000-3000 Hz--it is more noticeable to the listener.
• often first noticed by spouse, significant, or family.
• Hearing loss ASSOCIATED with increase in ALL
farm-related injuries.
24. Causes of Noise Induced Hearing Loss
• Unprotected equipment use and animal noises.
Source Sound level dB Maximum time/day
Chainsaw 115 dB <1 minutes
Blower, metal grinder 110 dB 1.4 minutes
Open cab
tractor, combine, grain dryer 105 dB 4 minutes
Mower 102 dB 9 minutes
Pig squealing, irrigation pump 100 dB 15 minutes
Air compressor 95 dB 47 minutes
Enclosed
tractor, combine, grain auger 92 dB 95 minutes
26. Rural and Farm Mental Health
Challenges
• Anxiety
• Feeling: nervous, restless, or tense
• Having: sense of impending danger, panic, or doom
• Excess: “what if” thoughts
• Depression
• Feeling: sad, helpless, empty, achy, or hopeless
• Having: decreased energy, loss of interest in pleasurable activities
• Thoughts: about death
27. Rural and Farm Mental Health
Challenges
• Substance and Alcohol Misuse
• Prescription: overusing controlled medication like Xanax or Lortab
• Illicit: using non-prescribed substances like Heroin or Methamphetamine
• Often take substantial toll of friendships, jobs, and life activities
• Farm and Life Stress
• Trouble thinking, completing daily tasks, low energy, loss of sleep
• Presence of stress many include physiologic problems like hypertension
• Farmer Suicide
28. Rural and Farm Mental Health
Challenges: Rural Life
• Rural Living Stressors
• Resource scarcity
• Access to specialty healthcare = traveling long distances
• Low county economy
• Reduced prioritization of infrastructure investments
• Stigma about mental health and wellness
• Maybe difficult finding off-farm employment
• Community alcohol, substance misuse, and overdoses
29. Rural and Farm Mental Health
Challenges: Farm
• Live and work on the farm
• No real escape, work never finished
• Crucial to our identity
• Farm succession and farm operation
• Maybe significant source of family stress
• Females maybe disregarded in farm succession.
• Farming = long hours and physically demanding labor
• Socially isolating job
30. Rural and Farm Mental Health
Challenges: Farm
• Farming synonymous with unpredictable forces
• National market prices (gas, inflation)
• Commodity market prices
• Crop or livestock disease
• Inclement weather & natural disaster
• Animal behaviors
• Machinery breakdown
• Theft
31. Causes of Mental Health Challenges
• Farm Illnesses
• Musculoskeletal Injuries
• Respiratory Illnesses
• Cancer
• Hearing Loss
• Exposure to pesticide, herbicide and fertilizers.
• Known to increase depressive symptoms
• High levels of stress increases likelihood of:
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Suicidal behaviors
33. Preventing Injury
and Illness
• A Fire/EMS Moto:
• If I am dead, the people that
I’m trying to help are dead.
• Essentially, we take the precautions
necessary to preserve our health, the
health of our farm, family, and
community.
• Protecting ourselves = protecting
others!
34. Preventing Injury and Illness
• Prioritize safety
• Education yourself on safety
hazards
• Identify common hazards
• Conduct daily safety checks
• See your Primary Care
Provider!
• Slow down
• Ask for help
• Acquire PPE
• Use the PPE
• Ask an Extension Agent for
Information and Resources
35. Preventing Injury and Illness
Injury Safety
• Wear seatbelts
• Use ROPS device
• Install fencing/rope
• STOP machinery before repairs
• Avoid loose clothing
• Wear helmets and harnesses
• Follow warning labels
Respiratory Safety
• Pinpoint the Hazard
• Acquire and select correct Mask:
• dust mask/buff, canister respirator, or supplied
air respirator
• Ensure adequate ventilation/exhaust
• Maintenance tractor and combine cab
seals and filters
• See your PCP for wheezing,
persistent cough, or shortness of air
36. Preventing Injury and Illness
Cancer Prevention
• Obtain training on chemicals
• Evaluate the PPE needed
• Use gloves and a mask/respirator when
handling chemicals
• Change soiled clothing & wash
contaminated skin and hands
• Wear a dust mask/buff for airborne
animal hazards
• Use sunscreen and skin coverings
• See your PCP for suspicious places
on skin
Hearing Safety
• Acquire hearing protection.
• Use hearing protection by:
• Keeping it around neck
• In the shop
• On the tractor
• Maintenance tractor and combine cab
seals and filters
• Reduce duration of sound exposure
• Increase distance away from sound
• Obtain annual hearing screenings
37. Preventing Mental Health Challenges
Identify Your Stressors
Recognize the Early Signs and Symptoms of MHC’s
• Social and/or emotional withdrawal
• Prolonged sadness
• Racing thoughts
• Decreased hygiene
• Negative thoughts about self or others
• Low energy
• Sleep disruption
• Worries or fear about the future
• Avoidance of certain activities (daily
responsibilities)
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Low frustration tolerance
38. Preventing Mental Health Challenges
• Use self-care and coping strategies
• Self-care and coping ≠ absence of MHC or stress.
• Self-care and coping skills can REDUCE the EFFECTS of
stress!
• Any reduction in stress can improve longevity and prevent other
injuries or illnesses.
• If symptoms persist, then see your PCP.
39. Self-care and Coping Strategies
Exercise Books
Social Networks
or Peer Support
Groups
Hobbies
Relaxation
Techniques
• Kayaking
• Running
• Weightlifting
• Walking
• Novels
• Science fiction
• Religious text
• Friends and family
• Recovery groups
• Association meetings
• Religious groups
• Recreation groups
• Outdoor activities
• Wood working
• Hunting/fishing
• Hiking/camping
• Aromas
• Stretching
• Meditation
• Prayer
• Breathing techniques
