Year of Publication
2021
College
Public Health
Date Available
7-8-2023
Degree Name
Dr. of Public Health (Dr.P.H.)
Committee Chair
Wayne Sanderson
Committee Member
Steve Browning
Committee Member
Erin Abner
Committee Member
W. Jay Christian
Abstract
Occupational studies show that farmers are at higher risk for suicide with rates at least two-fold those of the U.S. population.2-4 Therefore, the purpose of this study was to (1) determine age- and sex-specific farmer suicide rates, (2) evaluate rate trends, and (3) assess the relationship between commodity production and farmer suicide using the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) and quinquennial Census of Agriculture. We identified 1,652 farmer suicide cases from the NVDRS. Age-specific rates showed the highest rates among male farmers over 64 at 14.03 per 100,000. Annual rates for the 15-year study period peaked during 2013 at 19.37 per 100,000 persons but were lower than rates for U.S. males. State rates were highest rates in New Mexico (29.149 per 100,000) and California (25.55 per 100,000). No statistically significant Joinpoints were identified, however, the model showed a positive Annual Percent Change of 2.44. The rate of farmer suicide in medium soy production counties was 0.56 times the rate of suicide for low soy production counties. The age-standardized male farmer suicide rates show farmer suicide rates are lower than suicide rates for U.S. males, however, farmer suicide rates continue to rise indicating a shift in farmer suicide risk.
Recommended Citation
Norrod, Paul, "Farmer Suicide: Rates, Trends, and Associations to Commodity Production Among States Reporting Violent Deaths, 2003-2017" (2021). Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.). 326.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cph_etds/326