What’s your greatest resource?

On a recent episode of ‘HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast’, health and safety specialist with Teagasc, Dr John McNamara, hit the nail on the head when he said: “Farmers need to realise that health is their most important resource.” He added: “Poor health is like an accident in slow motion, it happens over time.” He encouraged farmers to book an annual checkup, which, he said, not only helps identify and treat any issues that may arise at an early stage, but it opens the door for future communication if required.
The on-farm mantra in relation to animal health is ‘prevention is better than cure’ and that applies off-farm also. Sometimes, farmers forget this. Eating healthily, regularly exercising, and checking in with the doctor are often not on the priority list with so many demands on farmers’ time.

But it’s not just a time issue. Farmers’ health is also impacted by their geographical location, by social isolation, by the nature of the job that involves very physical work – according to Teagasc, nearly 60 per cent of farmers over the age of 50 report experiencing ongoing physical discomfort – by sun exposure, and by mental health issues.

Strong demand
But what if medical services were more convenient? What if peer support and encouragement played a part in getting that check-up? Would farmers prioritise their greatest resource then? The findings of a pilot health-check initiative recently indicated that, yes, they would. And they did.

The initiative highlighted a very strong demand for health services among the farming community, when provided on a farmer’s patch. The initiative, launched last October, was a collaboration between the Irish Farmers’ Association, Croí and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. It saw comprehensive health screenings, workshops, and mental health support provided weekly at marts and agri-events across the country. It was very much a case of bringing the horse to the water and watching it lap up that refreshing drink.
The pilot-study report, published recently, revealed that the initiative delivered health checks in 16 locations with related health promotion packs given to 1,224 farmers and farm workers, 85 per cent of whom were aged 45 or older. This exceeded the target by 22 per cent, the report confirmed, and it identified that demand actually exists for a wider rollout of the service to rural communities.

Health checks
According to the report, the screenings revealed that nearly 50 per cent of patients had elevated blood pressure or cholesterol levels. Elevated blood glucose levels were noted in 20 per cent of screenings, demonstrating the need for proactive diabetes management.
The Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale was used to assess mental health in 506 participants, showing an average of 53.8 per cent level of wellbeing which is in line for the average in the UK for people over 45 years. Seventy-nine participants (6.5 per cent) were smokers and were provided with information on smoking cessation and risk factors associated with smoking.

Farmers who took part said they valued opportunities to discuss mental health concerns such as stress, anxiety and depression, and they appreciated the ‘convenience and accessibility of on-site health checks and related services’. We see how important these ‘convenient’ services are when we analyse some of the mental health and wellness data. Fifty-eight per cent of farmers surveyed said they ‘never, rarely or only some of the time, feel relaxed'; 46 per cent are 'never, rarely or only some of the time optimistic about the future'; 21 per cent 'rarely or never have any energy to spare' with a further 60 per cent 'only having energy to spare some of the time'; and 49 per cent 'never, rarely or only some of the time feel confident in themselves'.

Standout moments and wins

The report highlighted some of the incredible health-intervention moments over the course of the pilot, including the following:

• A 55-year-old farmer presented in Donegal with dangerously high blood pressure (195/123) and was advised to contact his GP urgently. Initially given an appointment several days later, a Croí nurse contacted the GP directly, explaining her findings. He was seen within hours and started on medication immediately. Remarkably, this man did not recall ever having had his blood pressure or cholesterol checked.
• Health checks were not only valued but became social gatherings. Farmers were willing to wait and chat, creating a supportive atmosphere. In Macroom, four couples over 60 travelled for two hours and stayed overnight locally to attend the mart specifically for health checks, reflecting both the demand for these services and the sense of community they fostered.

Accessible supports essential

The pilot programme has resulted in a number of recommendations including the establishment of a national Health Check Programme; a centralised digital platform offering continuous health education; expansion of holistic services; and a stakeholder forum to raise awareness of farming-related health issues and increased risk factors.
Irish Farmers Association (IFA) Farm Family and Social Affairs Committee chair, Teresa Roche, acknowledged the commitment that everybody gave to the project. She added: “The success of the Health Check programme was evident in the sheer demand. At some locations, queues extended beyond capacity. We can build on this momentum and develop ongoing preventative programmes.”
CEO of CROÍ, Mark O’Donnell, said the response to this pilot shows the real need for accessible health checks in rural communities. “Cardiovascular health is key to overall well-being, yet many risk factors go unnoticed. With 80per cent of premature cardiovascular disease being preventable, early detection and early treatment is essential. The high rates of elevated blood pressure and cholesterol identified in this pilot highlight why regular heart health checks matter.
“CROÍ is committed to working with our partners to expand this initiative so more farmers can access the checks and support they need to protect their heart health and overall wellbeing.”