White A, Richards S and Balanay JG (2025). Cancer and Neurodegenerative Disorders Associated with Chemical Exposures Among Farm Workers (Chapter 21). In Meggs, W.J. & Langley, R.L. (Eds.), Farm Toxicology: A Primer for Rural Healthcare Practitioners (pp. 267–277). Springer Nature. (ISBN 978-3-031-80440-3)
Abstract
Farm workers are part of an occupation comprising seasonal, part-time, or full-time positions that are critical in supporting societal growth and health. Workers in this sector are charged with taking care of livestock, as well as cultivating and harvesting fruits and vegetables necessary to support growing populations. Thus, farm worker health is of utmost importance to the global population. Farm workers may face occupational risks, such as physical hazards and chemical exposures that may have harmful effects on their health. This working population may be underserved in the healthcare community and/or be resistant to obtaining regular health check-ups. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of chronic diseases and conditions that may affect the farm worker population. While this chapter is not meant to be exhaustive, it aims to provide a synopsis of health conditions found in current research that have been associated with high-risk factors for this population.
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