OBJECTIVES: To examine whether long-term exposure to agricultural work is associated with dementia prevalence and the rate of cognitive change in older adulthood. METHOD: We employed data from the Health and Retirement Study (1998-2014). Multiple logistic regression was used to determine whether a longest-held job in the agricultural sector was associated with differences in dementia prevalence. We examined if hearing impairment, depression, and physical health indicators mediated the relationship between agricultural work and cognitive functioning. Subgroup analyses were done by age, retirement status, job tenure, and cognitive domain. We employed growth curve models to investigate implications of agricultural work on age trajectories of cognitive functioning. RESULTS: Longest-held job in agriculture, fishing, and forestry (AFF) was associated with 46% greater odds of having dementia. The relationship between AFF exposure and cognitive functioning was not mediated by hearing impairment, depression, or physical health indicators. Results were stronger among younger and retired older adults as well as those with extensive job tenure. AFF exposure was associated with lower scores in working memory and attention and processing speed. Growth curve models indicated that while agricultural work exposure was associated with lower initial levels of cognitive functioning, over time, the pattern reversed with individuals in non-AFF jobs, showing more accelerated cognitive decline. DISCUSSION: Consistent with European studies, results from the United States also demonstrate a higher prevalence of dementia among agricultural workers. The cognitive reserve framework may explain the seemingly paradoxical result on age patterning of cognitive performance across older adults with different work histories.
OBJECTIVES: To examine whether long-term exposure to agricultural work is associated with dementia prevalence and the rate of cognitive change in older adulthood. METHOD: We employed data from the Health and Retirement Study (1998-2014). Multiple logistic regression was used to determine whether a longest-held job in the agricultural sector was associated with differences in dementia prevalence. We examined if hearing impairment, depression, and physical health indicators mediated the relationship between agricultural work and cognitive functioning. Subgroup analyses were done by age, retirement status, job tenure, and cognitive domain. We employed growth curve models to investigate implications of agricultural work on age trajectories of cognitive functioning. RESULTS: Longest-held job in agriculture, fishing, and forestry (AFF) was associated with 46% greater odds of having dementia. The relationship between AFF exposure and cognitive functioning was not mediated by hearing impairment, depression, or physical health indicators. Results were stronger among younger and retired older adults as well as those with extensive job tenure. AFF exposure was associated with lower scores in working memory and attention and processing speed. Growth curve models indicated that while agricultural work exposure was associated with lower initial levels of cognitive functioning, over time, the pattern reversed with individuals in non-AFF jobs, showing more accelerated cognitive decline. DISCUSSION: Consistent with European studies, results from the United States also demonstrate a higher prevalence of dementia among agricultural workers. The cognitive reserve framework may explain the seemingly paradoxical result on age patterning of cognitive performance across older adults with different work histories.
Authors: Kimberly Sullivan; Maxine Krengel; William Bradford; Callie Stone; Terri Ann Thompson; Timothy Heeren; Roberta F White Journal: Neurotoxicol Teratol Date: 2017-11-07 Impact factor: 3.763
Authors: Kenneth M Langa; Brenda L Plassman; Robert B Wallace; A Regula Herzog; Steven G Heeringa; Mary Beth Ofstedal; James R Burke; Gwenith G Fisher; Nancy H Fultz; Michael D Hurd; Guy G Potter; Willard L Rodgers; David C Steffens; David R Weir; Robert J Willis Journal: Neuroepidemiology Date: 2005-08-15 Impact factor: 3.282
Authors: Emily Terese Sturm; Colton Castro; Andrea Mendez-Colmenares; John Duffy; Agnieszka Aga Z Burzynska; Lorann Stallones; Michael L Thomas Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-03-13 Impact factor: 3.390