Is there a need to monitor the health statistics of people who farm?

Abstract

Statistics from all over the world show that agriculture is one of the riskiest work environments in terms of occupational health and safety. In Slovenia, the health statistics on people who farm are of poor quality; only data on occupational accidents are available, and even these are underestimated. This article discusses the need for solid farmer and farm worker health statistics in Slovenia, as well as the obstacles and pitfalls faced by potential data owners and their users. As part of the anthropological research project Changes in Agriculture Through the Farmers’ Eyes and Bodies, this study reflects on material obtained in three focus groups with the owners of health and health-related national databases and other representatives of various governmental and nongovernmental agricultural organizations. The results show that research participants are interested in health statistics about people who farm. However, they expand on several factors and circumstances that need to be considered to ensure the quality of data collection, as well as the benefits of such data to farmers and farm workers themselves.