Understanding Agricultural Injury Burden and Prevention: Economic Costs, Military Service Factors, and Safety Training Challenges in the United States

Author

Suraj Adhikari, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow

Graduation Date

Fall 12-19-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Programs

Environmental Health, Occupational Health, and Toxicology

First Advisor

Aaron M. Yoder, PhD

Second Advisor

Risto H. Rautiainen, PhD

Third Advisor

Athena K. Ramos, PhD

Fourth Advisor

Cheryl L. Beseler, PhD

Abstract

This dissertation examines the burden, distribution, and prevention of agricultural injuries in the U.S. (United States) using a macro–meso–micro framework that links national costs, subgroup risk, and safety-training implementation. At the macro level, I estimated the annual national cost of farm-related injuries by combining Central States surveillance data from the Farm and Ranch Health and Safety Survey (FRHSS) with federal insurance and injury statistics. Self-reported injury rates among farmers and ranchers were 15.25 injuries per 100 operators (20.20 per 100 FTEs), substantially exceeding Bureau of Labor Statistics rates. When extrapolated nationally and combined with hired-worker injuries, the annual economic burden of agricultural injuries was approximately $9.3 billion in 2019 dollars and up to $11.6 billion after inflation adjustment, representing a notable share of U.S. gross and net farm income.

At the meso level, I used FRHSS data to describe injury patterns, work tasks, safety behaviors, and chronic health conditions among agricultural producers with prior military service in the Central States, comparing them with non-veteran peers. Veteran producers emerged as an older, high-exposure subgroup with substantial injury and chronic disease burden, underscoring the need to integrate service connected health considerations into agricultural safety and rehabilitation strategies.

At the micro level, I analyzed survey data from the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) Safety Management Survey and Feedyard 15 participants to identify motivators and barriers to implementing and sustaining safety training in cattle feedyards. Results highlighted the combined influence of management commitment, regulatory and market pressures, perceived productivity benefits, time and staffing constraints, and fit of training materials with multilingual, high-turnover workforces.

Together, these studies provide updated national cost estimates, bring veteran producers into clearer focus, and identify practical levers for improving safety culture and training uptake in high-risk livestock systems. The findings offer an integrated evidence base for policymakers, insurers, veteran-serving organizations, and extension professionals seeking to reduce agricultural injury burden while supporting the long-term viability of U.S. farms and ranches.

Comments

2025 Copyright, the authors

Recommended Citation

Adhikari, Suraj, "Understanding Agricultural Injury Burden and Prevention: Economic Costs, Military Service Factors, and Safety Training Challenges in the United States" (2025). Theses & Dissertations. 1032.
https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/etd/1032