title: The farming population in Ireland: mortality trends during the 'Celtic Tiger' years.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although the Irish farming population is a significant occupational group, analysis of their mortality patterns is limited. This study compared mortality trends with other occupational groups and assessed the impact of socio-economic factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Population and mortality data (2000-06) were obtained to calculate standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) by cause of death and matched with socio-economic data. The extent to which variation in mortality was explained by variations in the socio-economic data was determined using multiple regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Farmers and agricultural workers experienced the highest levels of mortality for all causes of death (2000-06). Farmers are 5.14 times more likely and agricultural workers are 7.35 times more likely to die from any cause of death than the lowest risk group. Circulatory disease is a significant cause of mortality among farmers [SMR = 215.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 201.83-229.98]. Other significant causes include cancers (SMR = 156.60, CI = 146.73-166.48) and injuries and poisonings (SMR = 149.69, CI = 135.44-163.93). Agricultural workers have similar mortality trends: circulatory disease (SMR = 226.27; CI = 192.45-260.08), cancers (SMR = 221.44; CI = 193.88-249.00), and injuries and poisonings (SMR = 353.90; CI = 302.48-405.32). From 2000 to 2006, SMRs increased incrementally. Multiple regression identified farm size and income poverty risk as predictors of mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Irish farmers and agricultural workers have experienced a reversal of mortality trends compared to the 1980s and 1990 s. Policies should target them as a high-risk group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Health Service Executive West, Merlin Park Hospital, Galway, Republic of Ireland. breda.smyth@hse.ie
authors.forename: Breda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Smyth
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cullen
authors.forename: Diarmuid
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: O'Donovan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000383:Agriculture / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000401:mortality; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult