Farmer suicides among states reporting violent deaths, 2003–2017
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21833683 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Paul E Norrod (0000-0002-1018-7927, University of Wisconsin–Extension), Wayne T Sanderson (0000-0001-9460-0450, University of Kentucky), Erin L Abner (0000-0002-9566-4111, University of Kentucky), Jacqueline Seals (0000-0003-2994-4948, University of Kentucky), Steve Browning (University of Kentucky) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 47 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 139-151 |
| Publication date | 2023-07-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Rural Mental Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1935-942X • E-ISSN: 2163-8969 |
| Publisher | American Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1037/rmh0000232 |
| PMID | 37449301 |
| OpenAlex | W4367604653 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 5 |
| References cited | 8 |
Research suggests that farmer suicide rates are at least two-fold higher than the general population. In estimating rates, prior research considered suicide events among farmers together with farmworkers, fishing, and forestry occupations and included non-farming populations in the defined at-risk populations (i.e., denominators). In this study, we sought to define and differentiate farmer suicide decedents from other agricultural occupations, estimate U.S. farmer suicide rates, and evaluate rate time trends. Farmer suicide decedents were ascertained from the 36 states in the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) from 2003-2017 using NVDRS occupation data. Farmers were defined as persons responsible for day-to-day farm decisions and operations. An expert panel was convened to classify farmer occupations. Rates were calculated using Census of Agriculture-identified farmers as the rate denominator, and time trends were evaluated using regression. Due to a low number of female decedents, female farmer suicide rates were not estimated. We identified1,575 male farmer suicide decedents and 77 female farmer decedents from the NVDRS during the study period. Aggregated age-specific male farmer suicide rates were highest among farmers ages 65 years and older (22.0/100,000). Estimated suicide rates for male farmers were highest during 2003 (31.8/100,000) and lowest during 2005 (19.2/100,000). Trend analysis revealed a statistically significant 2.4% annual percent change (APC) in rates over the 15-year study period. Suicide rates among male farmers showed evidence of an increase from 2003-2017. Farmer suicide rates parallel the rates of the U.S. population; thus, farmer suicide remains a public health concern
Agriculture · Census · Environmental health · Geography · Injury prevention · Mortality rate · Occupational safety and health · Poison control · Population · Suicide methods · Suicide prevention · Suicide rates · Agriculture and Farm Safety · Demography · Gun Ownership and Violence Research · Medicine · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
Permutation tests for joinpoint regression with applications to cancer rates
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Trends and Characteristics of Occupational Suicide and Homicide in Farmers and Agriculture Workers, 1992–2010
Farming and Mental Health Problems and Mental Illness
Stress in Farmers
The Zero Suicide Model
Suicide epidemics
Depression, Anxiety and Stress Among Young Farmers and Ranchers
| Citations per year | 5 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Highly cited | No |