The farming population in Ireland: mortality trends during the 'Celtic Tiger' years

• Published in: European journal of public health Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 50 - 55
• Main Authors: Smyth, B., Evans, D. S., Kelly, A., Cullen, L., O'Donovan, D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 01.02.2013
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Agricultural economics; Agricultural Workers; Agriculture; Agriculture - statistics & numerical data; Cancer; Cardiovascular Diseases - epidemiology; Cause of Death; Celts; Data; Death; Death & dying; Disease; Diseases; Economic factors; Economics; Farmers; Farming; Farms; Farmworkers; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Income; Injuries; Ireland; Ireland - epidemiology; Middle Aged; Mortality; Mortality - trends; Mortality patterns; Mortality Rates; Occupational Diseases - mortality; Occupational Exposure; Occupations - statistics & numerical data; Poisoning; Population; Population Surveillance; Poverty; Regression Analysis; Risk; Risk assessment; Socioeconomic Factors; Socioeconomics; Trends; Young Adult; Ireland; Eire
• ISSN: 1101-1262; 1464-360X; 1464-360X
• DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cks017

Although the Irish farming population is a significant occupational group, analysis of their mortality patterns is limited. This study compared mortality trends with other occupational groups and assessed the impact of socio-economic factors. Population and mortality data (2000-06) were obtained to calculate standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) by cause of death and matched with socio-economic data. The extent to which variation in mortality was explained by variations in the socio-economic data was determined using multiple regression. Farmers and agricultural workers experienced the highest levels of mortality for all causes of death (2000-06). Farmers are 5.14 times more likely and agricultural workers are 7.35 times more likely to die from any cause of death than the lowest risk group. Circulatory disease is a significant cause of mortality among farmers [SMR = 215.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 201.83-229.98]. Other significant causes include cancers (SMR = 156.60, CI = 146.73-166.48) and injuries and poisonings (SMR = 149.69, CI = 135.44-163.93). Agricultural workers have similar mortality trends: circulatory disease (SMR = 226.27; CI = 192.45-260.08), cancers (SMR = 221.44; CI = 193.88-249.00), and injuries and poisonings (SMR = 353.90; CI = 302.48-405.32). From 2000 to 2006, SMRs increased incrementally. Multiple regression identified farm size and income poverty risk as predictors of mortality. Irish farmers and agricultural workers have experienced a reversal of mortality trends compared to the 1980s and 1990 s. Policies should target them as a high-risk group.