Study protocol: Evaluation of the 'real-world' Farmers Have Hearts - Cardiovascular Health Program.

Premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality among men represents a public health concern worldwide. In Ireland, male farmers are a 'high-risk' group for CVD mortality compared to normative values for Irish males. Despite this, they are perceived to be a 'hard-to-reach' (HTR) group to engage with health interventions.

Essential and Vulnerable: Implications of Covid-19 for Farmers in Ireland.

: This paper seeks to: provide an overview of the impacts of and responses to the spread of COVID-19 in Ireland; assess the vulnerability of the population living in rural areas to COVID-19; compare the health status of male farmers to underlying medical conditions frequently associated with those experiencing the worst impacts of the illness; and assess the implications of COVID-19 for farmers living alone and farm households with children. : We present an overview of the impact and response to COVID-19 through the use of public health statistics and reference to policy documents. We subsequently draw on the results of ongoing geographic and health research to present an overview of the impacts and potential implications of COVID-19.

The impact of a workplace cardiovascular health screening programme 'Farmers Have Hearts' on health behaviour change among Irish farmers.

Background: Irish farmers are a high-risk group for cardiovascular disease (CVD) which imposes not only a risk to their health but has more far-reaching implications for occupational health and safety.

Objective: This study assessed the impact of a workplace health screening and health behaviour change programme among a sub-group of male Irish farmers.

Methods: Data were collected from male livestock farmers (n = 310) who attended health screenings at livestock marts.

Farmers Have Hearts: The Prevalence of Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease Among a Subgroup of Irish Livestock Farmers.

Objectives: Despite international findings that farmers have better health outcomes than other occupation groups, Irish farmers are found to be a high-risk group for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Early detection of CVD through preventive health measurements, such as screening of high-risk groups, can contribute to a reduction of CVD cases. Farmers, however, represent a "challenging" group in terms of engaging in preventive health behaviors.

Staying Fit for Farming-A Health Booklet Designed for Irish Farmers.

The objectives of this study were to design a health booklet specifically targeted to farmers with clear and understandable messages through the use of simple terminologies, pictures, agricultural references, and farmer-related case studies; and to maximize the profile and reach of the booklet to empower farmers to take increased control of their own health. Seven focus groups were carried out with farmers and professionals from the agricultural sector to explore the health needs of farmers and their attitudes and behaviors in relation to their health. Findings from these focus groups informed the content and design of the booklet "Staying Fit for Farming-A Health Booklet for Farmers.