Organophosphate exposure and the chronic effects on farmers: a narrative review

Dr Jessica Perry

qualifications: MBBS

contribution: Drafting of manuscript, Critical revision

position: Researcher

Australia

Dr Jacqueline Cotton

qualifications: BScAnSc(Hon) PhD

contribution: Study conception and design, Drafting of manuscript

position: Lecturer/Researcher in Rural Health

Australia

Dr Jacqueline Cotton resides in Hamilton, south west Victoria. She commenced her PhD (Agriculture) in 2005 and her degree was conferred in 2009 after submission in 2008 and acceptance with only minor review. Dr Cotton’s previous research work has focused on the use of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal worms in sheep and analysis of agrichemical mode of action on Sheep Blowfly (Lucilia Cuprina) during larval stages. This research was undertaken within Parasite Control Laboratory in the LaTrobe University, School of Agriculture and School of Chemistry. Dr Cotton was appointed as lecturer and researcher in Rural Health within the Deakin University School of Medicine, lectures and chairs the units HMF701 Agricultural Health and Medicine and HMF702 Healthy and Sustainable Agricultural Communities. She has completed a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education and is involved in development of curriculum and assessment within the Graduate Certificate of Agricultural Health and Medicine. Complementing her research is active involvement in supervision and mentoring research and medical students. Most recently a study evaluating the impact of agrichemical exposure research on practice change by participants. Dr Cotton is appointed a member to both the Victorian FarmSafe committee, the recently formed Agriculture Safety Reference Group established by WorkSafe Victoria and the Rural Industries Skills Training Animal Ethics committee. She is currently a scientific reviewer for a number of international journals, including the Journal of Agromedicine, Archives of Environmental and Occupational Health and the International Journal of Environmental Health Research. She is also currently a media contact for Deakin University on matters relating to agrichemical use and exposure risk. Dr Cotton has multidisciplinary scientific and industry expertise, in particular, translational research within human population health, occupational health and safety, agriculture and animal production science. Communication and uptake of project outcomes will require a these skills to ensure effective translation into practice and behaviour change.

A/Prof Muhammad Aziz Rahman

qualifications: PhD

contribution: Drafting of manuscript

position: Senior Researcher

Australia

Prof Susan Brumby

qualifications: PhD

contribution: Drafting of manuscript

position: Director National Centre for Farmer Health

Australia

Commenced as founding Director of the National Centre for Farmer Health in November 2008 - a partnership between Western District Health Service and Deakin University. She leads the implementation of key strategies to improve the health, wellbeing and safety of farm men and women blending both her theoretical and practical understanding of health, agriculture, organisational management and rural communities. Her interests are in service delivery, workforce development, preventable disease, alcohol consumption, climate adaptation and hearing loss in farmers. Course director for the Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Health and Medicine (GCAHM), Principal Investigator of the award winning Sustainable Farm Families™ (SFF) project and Chief Investigator on Australian Research Council, National Health and Medical Research Council and previously Rural Industries Research Development Corporation and beyondblue grants. Recognised for her contribution to rural health, awarded a Victorian Travelling Fellowship to the USA and the EU looking at farmer health and decision-making and an overseas study program in 2013. Susan has presented and published nationally and internationally on farmer health. Graduate and life fellow of the Australian Rural Leadership Program. Research interests: health promotion, agromedicine, social learning, statistics, farming.