Injury Mortality Among Iowa Farmers, 1980-1988: Comparison of PMR and SMR Approaches

A study of death certificates of 127,544 white male farmers in Iowa (1980-88) found an increased proportional mortality ratio (PMR) of 1.26 for all injuries. This was a result of the increased PMR for at-work injuries of 3.77, as well as elevated PMRs for nonoccupational injuries such as suicide (1.20), motor vehicle crashes (1.23), & electrocutions (1.78). Standardized mortality ratios were calculated for farmers aged 20-64 years. Study results are compared to those from Scandinavia. (32 Refs.)