Health for Sustainable Farming

Research by Teagasc along with National Centre for Men’s Health, IT Carlow and Waterford Institute of Technology indicates that farmers adopt health practices, as they get older. However, health issues can progress gradually, so the sooner health adoption takes place the better!
Health for Sustainable farming
Sustainable farming includes possibly interrelated economic, environmental and social dimensions. Within the social dimension, farmers’ health and well-being is a major component.
This article presents the findings of a study of Irish farmers related to farming characteristics and self-reported health outcomes. It provides pointers to areas where improvements in farmers’ health can be encouraged. It is recognised that there is a high incidence of occupational injury and disease among farmers. Irish farmers, however, also represent a high-risk group for lifestyle diseases.
Research Needed
Research has found that Irish farmers had significantly higher mortality rates from cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancers and any cause of death compared to other occupational groups. The factors underpinning the health inequalities of Irish farmers are not fully understood. This study sought to address this gap by examining the relationship between male farmers’ self-reported health outcomes and health behaviours on the one hand, and their age and farming characteristics on the other.
Health Adoption with Age
Older farmers (>45 years) were significantly more likely to report having arthritis, with the proportion of those reporting rheumatoid arthritis (13%) being three times higher than the national average of Irish males. It is well known that arthritis has a detrimental effect on job productivity, and therefore might impact negatively on farm productivity and farm income. Although farmers over 45 years of age were significantly more likely to report having used doctor services in the past 12 months, and engagement in preventive health check,
overall reported use of doctor services was lower compared to the national average of Irish males.
Working Identity and Harmful Health Behaviours
‘Working identity’ tends to be highly important for farmers and work might be put ahead of any other responsibilities in life, such as health.
‘Younger’ farmers (<45 years) were more likely to report harmful health behaviours such as smoking and ‘binge’ drinking. The negative health effects of smoking are well established. Binge drinking has been found to be an independent risk factor for ischaemic stroke.
Research Needed
Research has found that Irish farmers had significantly higher mortality rates from cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancers and any cause of death compared to other occupational groups. The factors underpinning the health inequalities of Irish farmers are not fully understood. This study sought to address this gap by examining the relationship between male farmers’ self-reported health outcomes and health behaviours on the one hand, and their age and farming characteristics on the other.
Current CVD Prevention Research
Ms Diana van Doorn is in the process of completing her PhD as a Teagasc Walsh Scholar on a major study of strategies to assist farmer with Cardiovascular Health. The study is being supervised by Dr Noel Richardson , Director, National Centre for Men’s Health Institute of Technology, Carlow., Dr David Meredith Teagasc Rural Economy Development Programme -Department of Agrifood and Spatial Analysis, Dr John McNamara , Teagasc Health and Safety Specialist along with Professor Catherine Blake, Dean and Head UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sport Science and Dr Aoife Osborne. Health and Safety Executive and Glanbia plc are supporting the study with implementation of health checks for study at Marts and Agri Branches by Irish Heart Foundation.
Further information:
This Article is based on Farmers’ Health for Sustainable Farming can be found in Teagasc TResearch also.
Farmers Have Hearts: Cardiovascular Health Programme Report (2020) is available here Farmers have Hearts Report
See Teagasc webpage Farmer Health for more information.
If you liked this article you might also like to read Teagasc Supports Men’s Health Week
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The Teagasc Health and Safety Specialists issue an article on a Health and Safety topic on a regular basis here on Teagasc Daily