Physical activity and work activities in Florida agricultural workers

Agricultural activities and risk of Alzheimer's disease: the TRACTOR project, a nationwide retrospective cohort study

Data regarding Alzheimer's disease (AD) occurrence in farming populations is lacking. This study aimed to investigate whether, among the entire French farm manager (FM) workforce, certain agricultural activities are more strongly associated with AD than others, using nationwide data from the TRACTOR (Tracking and monitoring occupational risks in agriculture) project. Administrative health insurance data (digital electronic health/medical records and insurance claims) for the entire French agricultural workforce, over the period 2002-2016, on the entire mainland France were used to estimate the risk of AD for 26 agricultural activities with Cox proportional hazards model. For each analysis (one for each activity), the exposed group included all FMs that performed the activity of interest (e.g. crop farming), while the reference group included all FMs who did not carry out the activity of interest (e.g. FMs that never farmed crops between 2002 and 2016). There were 5067 cases among 1,036,069 FMs who worked at least one year between 2002 and 2016. Analyses showed higher risks of AD for crop farming (hazard ratio (HR) = 3.72 [3.47-3.98]), viticulture (HR = 1.29 [1.18-1.42]), and fruit arboriculture (HR = 1.36 [1.15-1.62]). By contrast, lower risks of AD were found for several animal farming types, in particular for poultry and rabbit farming (HR = 0.29 [0.20-0.44]), ovine and caprine farming (HR = 0.50 [0.41-0.61]), mixed dairy and cow farming (HR = 0.46 [0.37-0.57]), dairy farming (HR = 0.67 [0.61-0.73]), and pig farming (HR = 0.30 [0.18-0.52]). This study shed some light on the association between a wide range of agricultural activities and AD in the entire French FMs population.

How Does Environmental Temperature Affect Farmworkers' Work Rates in the California Heat Illness Prevention Study?

OBJECTIVE

Estimate the association between environmental temperature (wet bulb globe temperature [WBGT]) and work rate over the course of a workday.

METHODS

Repeated-measures regression was used to identify characteristics impacting work rate in a cross-sectional study of Latino farmworkers. Minute-by-minute work rate (measured by accelerometer) and WBGT were averaged over 15-minute intervals.

RESULTS

Work rate decreased by 4.34 (95% confidence interval [CI], -7.09 to -1.59) counts per minute per degree Celsius WBGT in the previous 15-minute interval. Cumulative quarter hours worked (2.13; 95% CI, 0.82 to 3.45), age (-3.64; 95% CI, -4.50 to -2.79), and dehydration at the end of workday (51.37; 95% CI, 19.24 to 83.50) were associated with counts per minute as were gender, pay type (piece rate vs hourly) and body mass index ≥25 kg/m 2 . The effects of pay type and body mass index were modified by gender.

CONCLUSION

Increased temperature was associated with a decrease in work rate.

Associations of weather and air pollution with objective physical activity and sedentary time before and after bariatric surgery: a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study

Background--

Most metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) patients perform too little moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) and too much sedentary time (ST). Identifying factors that influence MVPA and ST in MBS patients is necessary to inform the development of interventions to target these behaviors. Research has focused on individual-level factors and neglected those related to the physical environment (e.g., weather and pollution). These factors may be especially important considering rapid climate change and emerging data that suggest adverse effects of weather and pollution on physical activity are more severe in people with obesity.

Objectives--

To examine the associations of weather (maximal, average and Wet Bulb Globe Temperatures), and air pollution indices (air quality index [AQI]) with daily physical activity (PA) of both light (LPA) and MVPA and ST before and after MBS.

Methods--

Participants (n=77) wore an accelerometer at pre- and 3, 6, and 12-months post-MBS to assess LPA/MVPA/ST (min/d). These data were combined with participants' local (Boston, MA or Providence, RI, USA) daily weather and AQI data (extracted from federal weather and environmental websites).

Results--

Multilevel generalized additive models showed inverted U-shaped associations between weather indices and MVPA (R2≥.63, p<.001), with a marked reduction in MVPA for daily maximal temperatures ≥20°C. Sensitivity analysis showed a less marked decrease of MVPA (min/d) during higher temperatures after versus before MBS. Both MVPA before and after MBS (R2=0.64, p<.001) and ST before MBS (R2=0.395; p≤.05) were negatively impacted by higher AQI levels.

Discussion--

This study is the first to show that weather and air pollution indices are related to variability in activity behaviors, particularly MVPA, during pre- and post-MBS. Weather/environmental conditions should be considered in MVPA prescription/strategies for MBS patients, especially in the context of climate change.

Predictors of cancer risky and preventive behaviors among the Nebraska farmers population

PURPOSE

Previous studies on cancer risk among agricultural producers have focused on occupational exposures, with only a few studies examining behavioral factors. The aim of this study was to understand cancer risky and preventative behaviors among the large farming population in Nebraska.

METHODS

A statewide cross-sectional study of farmers in Nebraska aged 19 and older was conducted in 2019 (n = 782). Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with being up to date on cancer screening and with cancer risky and preventive behaviors.

FINDINGS

The 93.68% of the Nebraska farmers population do not meet the daily recommended consumption of fruits and vegetables, and 70.14% reported regular alcohol consumption. The proportion of adults up to date on cancer screening was 79.57% for breast, 67.55% for cervical, 85.54% for colorectal, and 46.05% for skin cancers. Compared to women, men had a higher odds of heavy alcohol consumption (aOR 2.96, 95% CI 1.94-4.56) and ever smoking 100 or more cigarettes (aOR 1.66, 95% CI 1.03-2.73). The odds of being current with skin cancer screening was higher among those with higher incomes (aOR 1.77, 95% CI 1.06-3.01). Compared to men aged 50-64, the odds of being current with prostate cancer screening was higher among men aged 65-74 (aOR: 2.65, 95% CI 1.10-7.31) and 75 and older (aOR: 7.73, 95% CI 2.03-51.73).

CONCLUSIONS

Disparities in cancer screening and risk and preventive behaviors exist among farmers in Nebraska. The study highlights a need for continuing efforts to improve preventive cancer behaviors targeted to the farming population.

The Health Status of Hispanic Agricultural Workers in Georgia and Florida

To examine the health status of Hispanic agricultural workers in Florida and Georgia. Health data from agricultural workers in the Farm Worker Family Health Program (June 2019) and research studies in Florida (May 2015 and May 2019) were examined. Data from 728 agricultural workers were collected through sociodemographic questionnaire and clinical data. In the Florida sample, 83% were overweight or obese, 70% elevated blood pressure, 60% met the definition of prediabetes. In Georgia, 64% were overweight or obese and 67% had elevated blood pressure. Weak correlations were observed between BMI and systolic blood pressure (unadjusted r = 0.20), diastolic blood pressure (unadjusted r = 0.19), and glucose (unadjusted r = 0.14). Adjusting for age and gender did not show statistically significant correlation between BMI and systolic and diastolic blood pressure or glucose. While BMI has been shown to be strongly associated with high blood pressure and impaired glucose, we found a weak correlation among agricultural workers. Given the common and high use of pesticides and elevated rates of hypertension, impaired glucose, and adiposity in agricultural workers, the public health impact of this relationship may require and lead to occupational reform that protects the health of agricultural workers. Future studies should assess occupational and environmental factors and lifestyle differences between agricultural workers and the general population to better understand these discrepancies in health status.

The relationship between occupational physical activity and dyslipidaemia in farmers with varying working modes in southwest China: the China multi-ethnic cohort study

Background

Farmers are the integral members of rural communities. In the present study, we determined the association between occupational physical activity (OPA) of farmers and dyslipidaemia.

Methods

We included 7649 farmers from The China Multi-Ethnic Cohort (CMEC) Study. The working modes of all farmers were divided into four types according to their self-reported seasonal changes in farming work and/or other job changes (1: no change; 2: changing job; 3: seasonal changes; and 4: seasonal and job changes). OPA was self-reported, and the OPA levels in the four groups were classified as Q1, Q2–Q3, and Q4 by quantile. Dyslipidaemia was defined as the presence of abnormalities in lipid indicators. Binary logistic regression was used to estimate the association between OPA and dyslipidaemia.

Results

Compared with those in the no change group, the participants in other three groups were younger with lower level of education, annual income, and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA). Active OPA could reduce the risk of dyslipidaemia in the no change [men: odds ratios (OR) = 0.21, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.07–0.64; women: OR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.20–0.93] and seasonal change (men: OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.27–0.77; women: OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.41–0.86) groups. However, in the seasonal and job change group (men: OR = 3.23, 95% CI: 1.06–9.80; women: OR = 3.24, 95% CI: 1.42–7.41), active OPA increased the risk of dyslipidaemia.

Conclusions

Different OPA levels might lead to differences in association with blood lipid levels. Thus, OPA guidelines must be developed for farmers, especially for those who experience seasonal changes in farming work and job changes.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13266-x.

Impacts of Climate Change and Heat Stress on Farmworkers' Health: A Scoping Review

Due to the continuous rise of global temperatures and heatwaves worldwide as a result of climate change, concerns for the health and safety of working populations have increased. Workers in the food production chain, particularly farmworkers, are especially vulnerable to heat stress due to the strenuous nature of their work, which is performed primarily outdoors under poor working conditions. At the cross-section of climate change and farmworkers' health, a scoping review was undertaken to summarize the existing knowledge regarding the health impacts associated with climate change and heat stress, guide future research toward better understanding current and future climate change risks, and inform policies to protect the health and safety of agricultural workers. A systematic search of 5 electronic databases and gray literature websites was conducted to identify relevant literature published up until December 2021. A total of 9045 records were retrieved from the searches, of which 92 articles were included in the final review. The majority of the reviewed articles focused on heat-related illnesses (n = 57) and kidney diseases (n = 28). The risk factors identified in the reviewed studies included gender, dehydration, heat strain, wearing inappropriate clothing, workload, piece-rate payment, job decision latitude, and hot environmental conditions. On the other hand, various protective and preventive factors were identified including drinking water, changing work hours and schedule of activities, wearing appropriate clothing, reducing soda consumption, taking breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas, and increasing electrolyte consumption in addition to improving access to medical care. This review also identified various factors that are unique to vulnerable agricultural populations, including migrant and child farmworkers. Our findings call for an urgent need to expand future research on vulnerable agricultural communities including migrant workers so as to develop effective policies and interventions that can protect these communities from the effects of heat stress.

Accuracy of an estimated core temperature algorithm for agricultural workers

There is a substantial burden of occupational health effects from heat exposure. We sought to assess the accuracy of estimated core body temperature (CBT_est) derived from an algorithm that uses sequential heart rate and initializing CBT,¹ compared with gastrointestinal temperature measured using more invasive ingestible sensors (CBT_gi), among outdoor agricultural workers. We analyzed CBT_est and CBT_gi data from Washington State, USA, pear and apple harvesters collected across one work shift in 2015 (13,413 observations, 35 participants) using Bland Altman methods. The mean (standard deviation, range) CBT_gi was 37.7 (0.4, 36.5-39.4)°C. Overall CBT bias (limits of agreement) was -0.14 (±0.76)°C. Biases ranged from -0.006 to -0.75 °C. The algorithm, which does not require the use of ingestible sensors, may be a practical tool in research among groups of workers for evaluating the effectiveness of interventions to prevent adverse occupational heat health effects.

From Florence to fossil fuels: Nursing has always been about environmental health

BACKGROUND

Since its founding, professional nursing has applied an environmental lens to healing.

METHODS

This CANS 2020 Keynote article describes the history of nursing environmental science and nurses important contributions to the US Environmental Justice Movement. Starting with Florence Nightingale's Notes on Nursing, which established Environmental Theory, the paper introduces key figures throughout nursing history who have studied and advocated for environmental health and justice.

FINDINGS

The paper emphasizes that nursing has always been about environmental health and that, regardless of specialty or practice setting, all nurses are called to incorporate environmental science and translation into their research and practice.

CONCLUSION

This call to action is especially critical today in the context of urgent issues like climate change, environmental racism and racial health disparities, emerging infectious diseases like COVID-19, and chemical exposures in the home and workplace (among others).

Cooling Interventions Among Agricultural Workers: Qualitative Field-Based Study

INTRODUCTION

Agricultural workers perform intense labor outside in direct sunlight and in humid environmental conditions exposing them to a high risk of heat-related illness (HRI). To implement effective cooling interventions in occupational settings, it is important to consider workers' perceptions. To date, an analysis of agricultural workers' experience and perception of cooling devices used in the field while working has not been published.

METHODS

Qualitatively data from 61 agricultural workers provided details of their perceptions and experiences with cooling interventions.

RESULTS

The participants in the bandana group reported the bandana was practical to use at work and did not interfere with their work routine. Cooling vest group participants agreed that the vest was effective at cooling them, but the practicality of using the vest at work was met with mixed reviews.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this qualitative study support and extend existing research regarding personal cooling and heat prevention research interventions with vulnerable occupational groups. Personal cooling gear was well received and utilized by the agricultural workers. Sustainable heat prevention studies and governmental protection strategies for occupational heat stress are urgently needed to reduce the risk of heat-related morbidity, mortality, and projected climate change health impacts on outdoor workers.

Risk Factors for Reaching Core Body Temperature Thresholds in Florida Agricultural Workers

BACKGROUND

There is a compelling need to identify agricultural workers at risk for heat related illness (HRI).

METHODS

Data from Florida agricultural workers (N = 221) were collected over 3 summer workdays (2015 to 2017) to examine risk factors for exceeding NIOSH-recommended core temperature (Tc) thresholds (38 °C [Tc38] and 38.5 °C [Tc38.5]) using generalized linear mixed models.

RESULTS

On an average workday, 49% of participants exceeded Tc38 and 10% exceeded Tc38.5. On average, participants first exceeded both thresholds early in the day; the Tc38 threshold mid-morning (10:38 AM), and Tc38.5 about a half hour later (11:10 AM). Risk factors associated with exceeding Tc38 included years working in US agriculture, body mass index, time performing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, increasing heat index, and field crop work.

CONCLUSIONS

The high prevalence of core temperatures exceeding recommended limits emphasizes the serious need for mandated HRI prevention programs for outdoor workers.

A modified physiological strain index for workplace-based assessment of heat strain experienced by agricultural workers

BACKGROUND

As global temperatures rise, increasing numbers of individuals will work in hot environments. Interventions to protect their health are critical, as are reliable methods to measure the physiological strain experienced from heat exposure. The physiological strain index (PSI) is a measure of heat strain that relies on heart rate and core temperature but is challenging to calculate in a real-world occupational setting.

METHODS

We modified the PSI for use in field settings where resting temperature and heart rate are not available and used the modified physiological strain index (mPSI) to describe risk factors for high heat strain (mPSI ≥ 7) experienced by agricultural workers in Florida during the summers of 2015 through 2017. mPSI was calculated for 221 workers, yielding 465 days of data.

RESULTS

A higher heat index (β = 0.185; 95% CI: 0.064, 0.307) and higher levels of physical activity at work (0.033; 95% CI: 0.017, 0.050) were associated with a higher maximum mPSI. More years worked in US agriculture (-0.041; 95% CI: -0.061, -0.020) were protective against a higher maximum mPSI. Out of 23 workdays that a participant experienced a maximum mPSI ≥ 7, 22 were also classified as strained by at least one other measure of high heat strain (core temperature [Tc] >38.5°C, sustained heart rate >(180 - age), and mean heart rate > 115 bpm).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides critical information on risk factors for elevated heat strain for agricultural workers and suggests a practical approach for using PSI in field-based settings.

Heat-Related Illness Among Latinx Child Farmworkers in North Carolina: A Mixed-Methods Study

Children as young as ten are legally hired for farm work. In North Carolina, many of these hired children are Latinx; they often work long hours during hot and humid summer conditions. Heat-related illness occurs along a continuum of severity ranging from heat cramps and rashes to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which can be fatal. The literature on the negative health effects of occupational heat exposure is growing; however, few studies have examined this exposure and health outcomes among child agricultural workers. To understand Latinx child farmworkers' experiences of working in heat, we conducted in-depth interviews (n = 30). To estimate the prevalence of heat-related illness symptoms and associated factors, we conducted survey interviews (n = 165). Heat-related illness is common among these child farmworkers. While children often understand the dangers of working in heat, work organization often prevents their taking precautions. Formal workplace protections to prevent heat-related illness are limited.