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Living on farms or doing farm work is associated with a number of health risks, some of which may also pertain to liver or kidney. However, apart from some specific but rare diseases or some unusual local clusters, liver or kidney disease in general is not a major cause of concern in rural settings. One cause for this reduced specific illness frequency as compared with urban populations is the reduced presence of some classical behavioral risk factors, notably smoking and alcohol consumption. The highest risks for liver and kidney disease in farming are due to biological hazards. Toxicological health risks, where present, are not primarily targeted at liver or kidney. This does of course not mean that there are no relevant toxicological risks present in agriculture. Occupational hygiene, including appropriate personal protective equipment, is essential in the handling of toxic chemicals in agriculture, as well as elsewhere.

The manifestation of stressors and associated coping strategies appears to vary according to whether individuals own or operate farms or whether individuals are hired as farm workers. It is apparent that farmers are at risk for the development of stress and other mental health difficulties such as anxiety, depression, and suicide.

Almost all of the studies on the mental health of hired farm workers have been conducted in the last 6 years. Although this literature is more scant than the farmer literature in terms of quantity, the research on stress and mental health in migrant farm workers has been conducted in a methodologically rigorous manner.

Many of these studies produced descriptive findings. Less common were studies that attempted to look at stress, coping, and mental health in a theoretical context. Prospective research is thus necessary to assess the interaction of stress and coping in agricultural workers over time. Also needed is research that looks at the interplay of mental health and physical health over time, given that the literature suggests that severe stress has a negative impact on both facets of health. Intensive, longitudinal work in the area will provide for the type of applied knowledge that will help in the generation of mental health interventions for agricultural workers.

The manifestation of stressors and associated coping strategies appears to vary according to whether individuals own or operate farms or whether individuals are hired as farm workers. It is apparent that farmers are at risk for the development of stress and other mental health difficulties such as anxiety, depression, and suicide.

Almost all of the studies on the mental health of hired farm workers have been conducted in the last 6 years. Although this literature is more scant than the farmer literature in terms of quantity, the research on stress and mental health in migrant farm workers has been conducted in a methodologically rigorous manner.

Many of these studies produced descriptive findings. Less common were studies that attempted to look at stress, coping, and mental health in a theoretical context. Prospective research is thus necessary to assess the interaction of stress and coping in agricultural workers over time. Also needed is research that looks at the interplay of mental health and physical health over time, given that the literature suggests that severe stress has a negative impact on both facets of health. Intensive, longitudinal work in the area will provide for the type of applied knowledge that will help in the generation of mental health interventions for agricultural workers.

This chapter consolidates a compliance strategy for the main physical hazards of the workplace. One should not forget, however, that the main reason for implementing such programs should not be to avoid fines, but to safeguard workers, some of whom may be friends or family members.

Living on farms or doing farm work is associated with a number of health risks, some of which may also pertain to liver or kidney. However, apart from some specific but rare diseases or some unusual local clusters, liver or kidney disease in general is not a major cause of concern in rural settings. One cause for this reduced specific illness frequency as compared with urban populations is the reduced presence of some classical behavioral risk factors, notably smoking and alcohol consumption. The highest risks for liver and kidney disease in farming are due to biological hazards. Toxicological health risks, where present, are not primarily targeted at liver or kidney. This does of course not mean that there are no relevant toxicological risks present in agriculture. Occupational hygiene, including appropriate personal protective equipment, is essential in the handling of toxic chemicals in agriculture, as well as elsewhere.

There is ample evidence that agricultural workers and those who reside in agricultural areas have an increased risk for a variety of adverse reproductive health outcomes. Both paternal and maternal exposures to biologic and chemical agents and maternal exposure to physical factors must be recognized and controlled to prevent these adverse effects on fertility and on the next generation of children. Strategies should include reduction or elimination of chemical agents whenever possible, proper personal protective equipment, improved work practices and hygiene, worker education, avoidance of biologic exposures, and reduction in the intensity and duration of maternal physical labor.