1. Farm Work and Family Health: A Study on Farming Health across selected Agricultural Industries in Australia
Susan Brumby P:
@farmerhealth

2. Background Draws from Sustainable Farm Families (SFF) study
major agricultural industries (broadacre, cropping, cotton, sugar, wool, dairy, lamb and beef production) in Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Northern Territory and Western Australia.
This research draws from Sustainable Farm Families (SFF) study that was undertaken across major agricultural industries (broadacre, cropping, cotton, sugar, wool, dairy, lamb and beef production) in Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Northern Territory and Western Australia. The overarching research question asks was the SFF program effective in responding to the health, wellbeing and safety needs of farm men and woman across different agricultural industries in Australia?

3. Purpose
Overarching research question was the SFF program effective in responding to the:
health
wellbeing and
safety needs of farm men and woman across different agricultural industries in Australia?
This research draws from Sustainable Farm Families (SFF) study that was undertaken across major agricultural industries (broadacre, cropping, cotton, sugar, wool, dairy, lamb and beef production) in Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Northern Territory and Western Australia. The overarching research question asks was the SFF program effective in responding to the health, wellbeing and safety needs of farm men and woman across different agricultural industries in Australia?

4. Why SFF is needed

5. Method This presentation will address:
Cultural background and historical circumstances that shaped agriculture in Australia
Methodological framework and design of the (SFF) study undertaken in 29 locations with 521 farmers over 2 – 3 years
Highlight findings from the SFF study in order to understand industry related issues.
This paper will address:
The cultural background and historical circumstances that shaped agriculture in Australia
The methodological framework and design of the Sustainable Farm Families (SFF) study which was undertaken in 29 locations with over 521 farmers over 2 – 3 years
Highlight findings from the SFF study acfcross different agricultural industries in order to understand specifgic industry related health, wellbeing an safety issues.

6. The study

7. Sustainable Farm Families (SFF)
SFF addresses the health, wellbeing and safety of farm families within their community.
Farming enterprises cropping, dairy, sugar, cotton, wool, horticulture and meat production.
Annual physical assessments, review of health conditions, assessment of health behaviours, focus groups and education relating to common health conditions.
4 days of farmer time over a 2 – 3 year period.
Irrigation areas, reducing holdings

8. Method Theoretical perspectives Program design Analysis plan
Biomedical model
Health assessments incl. biochemical analysis,
psychological distress, health conditions
Referral opportunities
Changes over time
Distributions of clinical and mental health indicators within recommended parameters
Referral rates
Health promotion and
Behaviour change
Workshops for skill development, empowerment and knowledge
Reflection and action planning for behaviour change
Pre and post knowledge
Participation rate
Distributions and frequency of actions chosen
Farm safety practices and injuries
Adult learning and evaluation
Peer group learning
Active experimentation with individual lifestyle and behaviour changes
Focus group discussions
Behaviourally Anchored Rating Scale
Workshop evaluation
This paper will address:
The cultural background and historical circumstances that shaped agriculture in Australia
The methodological framework and design of the Sustainable Farm Families (SFF) study which was undertaken in 29 locations with over 521 farmers over 2 – 3 years
Highlight findings from the SFF study acfcross different agricultural industries in order to understand specifgic industry related health, wellbeing an safety issues.

9. Method Theoretical perspectives Program design Analysis plan
Agricultural extension
Workshops delivered to specific industry groups
Industry analysis and differences across industry groups
Gender lens
Farm men and women participants
Separate and swapped gender sessions
Treated individually
Clinical indicators, knowledge and change by gender
Workshop evaluation
High retention rates were experienced across the SFF program. Mean changes in clinical measures for all 521 participants, as well as between men and woman, are analyzed. Mean changes of those participants at risk are compared with those participants not at risk. Differences and similarities between industry groups are discussed, as well as success factors and barriers to change.

10.  This is what I call good business
Sustainable Farm Families program focus’ on the health, well-being and safety of our farming families.
It’s a family – community focused program
Ajzen and Fishbein - theory of reasoned action and planned behaviour (Ajzen,1980)
Kolb - theory of adult learning (Kolb 1984)
Kirkpatrick - evaluation framework (Kirkpatrick 1998)
Rogers - work on diffusion of innovation (Rogers 1998)
Watts – propagation of a concept through networks
Content of course includes individual health assessments, overview of rural health, cardiovascular disease, farm safety, diabetes, nutrition and alcohol, supermarket tour, stress, women's and men's health, mental health, skin cancer, exercise, respiratory health. 10

11. SFF workshop design

12. Change in Knowledge Question Broadacre Dairy Cotton Sugar RTR M FM F
1. Who has better health status metropolitan or rural men/women? *
2.What do you think are the main signs or symptoms of depression (1 correct response)  X
3. If you thought someone you knew was experiencing depression, what would you do? ~
4. What are the 3 major risk factors for cardiovascular disease?
5. List 3 things that assist the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
6. List 2 major risk factors for diabetes?
7. What does the National Heart Foundation recommend as the best form of exercise?
8. How much exercise does the National Heart Foundation recommend per day? (multi choice)
9. How often should you exercise per week? (multi choice)
10. The percentage of Australian adults that experience depression at some point in their lives is?

13. (reduced risk factors) (increased risk factors)
Percentage changes in number of risk factors between baseline and 12 months.
Nos of risks at baseline
% Stayed same
% Improved
(reduced risk factors)
% Deteriorated
(increased risk factors)
Total
77%
N/A
23%
100% 1
40%
25%
35% 2
47%
26%
27% 3
39%
41%
19% 4
63% 2% 5
38% NA

14. Think differently about managing work on the farm
SFF showed unequivocally that farmers were interested in their health, wellbeing and safety and were prepared to address these issues. This presentation has much to offer practitioners, policy makers, agricultural extension and others working in agricultural and health to assist them to address farmer health, wellbeing and safety.

15. The SFF program is delivered to a population with overall relatively poor health and has been effective in improving health status, most significantly for those most at risk. Victorian Auditor –General’s Report 2010
Farmers are overwhelmingly positive in their feedback about the SFF program and the benefits it has had for them. Roberts Evaluation Pty Ltd
SFF provides a benefit-cost ratio of 5.6: 1 providing value to government.
Economic Evaluation of Investment in the Farming & Fishing Health & Safety R&D Program, Publication No. 11/170, May 2012
Photo of heidi and doiong noiose audits

16. Twitter @farmerhealth
Questions?
Thank you