A PheWAS Analysis of the Risks and Benefits of Growing Up on a Farm.
| Title: | A PheWAS Analysis of the Risks and Benefits of Growing Up on a Farm. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Burke RR; Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health, Madison, WI, USA.; Berg RL; Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Office of Research Support Services, Marshfield, WI, USA.; Weichelt BP; Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, National Farm Medicine Center, Marshfield, WI, USA.; Gabor RM; Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Center for Clinical Epidemiology & Population Health, Marshfield, WI, USA.; Rudolphi JM; Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL, USA.; Bendixsen CG; Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, National Farm Medicine Center, Marshfield, WI, USA.; VanWormer JJ; Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Center for Clinical Epidemiology & Population Health, Marshfield, WI, USA. |
| Source: | Journal of agromedicine [J Agromedicine] 2026 Apr; Vol. 31 (2), pp. 254-262. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Nov 22. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Taylor & Francis Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 9421530 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1545-0813 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 1059924X NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Agromedicine Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: 2009- : Abingdon, Oxford : Taylor & Francis; Original Publication: Binghamton, NY : Haworth Medical Press, c1994- |
| MeSH Terms: | Farms*/statistics & numerical data ; Agriculture*/statistics & numerical data ; Farmers*/statistics & numerical data; Wisconsin/epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adolescent ; Child ; Comorbidity ; Young Adult ; Cohort Studies ; Child, Preschool |
| Abstract: | Objective: Growing up on a farm presents a health paradox, with increased risks of injuries but some purported benefits. This study estimated differences in the burden of medical comorbidities between youth who live versus do not live on farms. No a priori hypotheses were tested.; Methods: A phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) was used in a cohort of youth in north-central Wisconsin. Those who lived on farms were matched (1:3) to a non-farm comparison group. Outcomes included a comprehensive set of diagnoses (Phecodes) that occurred between 2017 and 2021. PheWAS analyses included logistic regression models of Phecode associations with farm residency.; Results: There were 36 Phecodes that significantly differentiated the two groups. Youth who lived on farms had significantly higher odds of agricultural injury, dermatophytosis, spinal neuritis, and strabismus compared to non-farm youth. Remaining Phecodes indicated protection in the farm group. Notably, relative to the non-farm group, farm youth had a 20%-30% lower odds of respiratory illnesses, as well as 30%-40% lower odds of mental health and neurological conditions.; Conclusion: This was the first known study to utilize a PheWAS approach to comprehensively compare medical comorbidities in farm versus non-farm youth. Findings confirmed the known injury hazards in farm youth, but there appeared to be more health benefits of living on farms. Some of these apparent protections were novel, particularly those related to affective disorders, but require future confirmatory testing to understand how care seeking behaviors may also influence farm and non-farm households. |
| Grant Information: | U50 OH008107 United States OH NIOSH CDC HHS; U54 OH009568 United States OH NIOSH CDC HHS |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Farm; PheWAS; Wisconsin; health; youth |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20251123 Date Completed: 20260314 Latest Revision: 20260531 |
| Update Code: | 20260601 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/1059924X.2025.2591079 |
| PMID: | 41275339 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't