Contact Us

Heartland Center for Occupational Health and Safety

Facebook logo Twitter logo LinkedIn logo YouTube logo
  • Home
  • CE & Outreach
    • Conferences & Classes
    • Quarterly OSH Newsletter
    • Presentations & Webinars
    • Email Distribution Lists
    • MidwestON
    • COVID-19 Resources
  • Training Programs
    • Agricultural Safety & Health
    • Ergonomics
    • Industrial Hygiene
    • Occupational Injury Prevention
    • Occupational Safety
  • People
    • Meet Our Students
    • Program Directors
    • Center Staff
    • External Advisory Board
  • About the Center
    • What is the Heartland Center?
    • Annual Reports
    • Pilot Grants
  • Trainee Info
    • Traineeship FAQ
    • Interdisciplinary Activities
    • Financial Aid
    • Individual Development Plans
    • Trainee Requirements 24/25

Agricultural Safety And Health Research Projects Address Farmer Stress

October 8, 2019 by Reed, Breanna L

Farming is a high-risk industry and farm incomes are impacted by many factors including weather, market prices, interest rates, and regulatory requirements. Suicide rates among farmers tend to be higher than most other industries. Rural mental health is a complex topic, with factors such as low access to care and stigma about seeking care potentially affecting outcomes.

Trainee Erin Morley (MS 2019) examined the association between health insurance and healthcare-seeking behaviors among farmers in the Midwest. Lack of health insurance was identified as a stressor among farmers and the type of insurance affected when farmers would visit a healthcare provider.

Pictured: Erin takes a selfie with her thesis committee. From left to right: Dr. Diane Rohlman (thesis supervisor and advisor), Dr. Carri Casteel (thesis committee member), Erin Morley, and Dr. Brandi Janssen (thesis commitee member).

 

 

Recognizing that rural areas often have limited mental health providers, Trainee Kyle Godwin (MS 2019) used Iowa Death Certificate records to examine the association between farmer suicide and access to care. His research found that suicide rates were higher in counties that had a certified mental health clinic, suggesting that the presence of a mental health clinic in a rural area may not be sufficient to overcome other barriers to seeking care.

Pictured: Kyle takes a selfie with his thesis committee. From left to right: Dr. Diane Rohlman (thesis committee member), Kyle Godwin, Dr. Corinne Peek-Asa (thesis committee member), and Dr. Brandi Janssen (thesis supervisor and advisor).

Filed Under: Agriculture, Trainees

Join Email List

Get our quarterly OSH newsletter, and be the first to know about continuing education activities:


Join our email list today!

Continuing Education

  • About the Center
  • Financial Aid
  • Pilot Grants

Training Programs

  • Agricultural Safety & Health
  • Ergonomics
  • Industrial Hygiene
  • Occupational Injury Prevention
  • Financial Aid
  • Traineeship FAQ

People

  • Meet Our Students
  • Program Directors
  • Center Staff
  • External Advisory Board

About the Center

  • About the Center
  • Financial Aid
  • Pilot Grants

Heartland Center for Occupational Health and Safety - CPHB, Suite 300 - 145 N. Riverside Dr. - The University of Iowa - Iowa City, IA 52242

The College of Public Health, The University of Iowa | Accessibility Statement

Copyright © 2025 - All Rights Reserved.

University of Iowa College of Public Health logo