Caring for Farm Families

John Shutske, Professor and Extension Agricultural Safety and Health Specialist
Michele Schermann, Research Fellow
Ruth Rasmussen, Center for Public Health Education and Outreach
Debra Olson, Center for Public Health Education and Outreach

Objective

Provide education and resources to help health professionals understand and pursue their role in minimizing the impact of farm workplace injury and disease.

Need or Impact

Production agriculture remains on of the most dangerous U.S. industries based on injury and occupational illness rates. Health professionals need current, research-based information and encouragement to help patients and clients understand their work-related risk factors and to recognize signs and symptoms of exposure or disease. Workshops, technical, and an academic program designed for health professionals help fill this need.

Status

For 13 years, all family practice physician residents (approximately 780) at the University of Minnesota have received 75 minutes or more of technical education on agricultural injury and illness. Annual special sessions are held for registered nurses and other groups including a half-day workshop in 2005 covering issues related to zoonotic disease and antibiotic resistance related to agriculture. The agricultural safety and health academic minor currently has three masters-level students with one finishing her work in 2005.