A University of Iowa study shows farmers have a greater chance of developing dementia.
The first of its kind study came about when researchers noticed ag workers showed some of the same traits as people with cognitive decline. Those traits are hearing loss, depression, and social isolation.
The professor wanted to know if there was a connection.
Dr. Kanika Arora used data from a previous health and retirement study and found that ag workers scored lower on memory, attention, and processing speed tests.
The result? People with long-term jobs in ag, forestry, and fishing had a 46 percent greater chance of having dementia.
Arora says that the study is cause for concern because farmers routinely work beyond retirement age and their symptoms may be missed or delayed.
