The Georgia Farm Bureau Safety Program serves as a resource to members to increase awareness of agricultural safety and health. Agriculture remains one of the most dangerous industries in the U.S., but education plays an important role in reducing fatalities and injuries on the farm.

For information on specific topics and resources, contact Donna Rocker at (478) 474-8411 or e-mail her.

Vascular disease includes stroke, Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA). Several of our county Farm Bureaus have turned to Life Line Screening to provide them with a program to help their members and others in the community to receive screenings for these diseases.

Strokes are the third leading cause of death in the United States. A majority of all stroke victims have no symptoms and 97% of the adult population can not recognize the warning signs of a stroke.

A bone densitometer measures the bone mineral density (BMD), a powerful predictor of skeletal strength and fracture risk. The heel is measured because its bone is similar to that found in the hip where osteoporotic fractures occur most often. (Photo courtesy of Life Line Screening).

An abnormal ballooning or enlargement of a blood vessel is known as an aneurysm. This is caused when the lining in the wall of the blood vessel becomes weakened and expands in size. When this happens in the abdominal portion of the aorta (the largest blood vessel in the body), it is known as Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm or AAA. It is the tenth leading cause of death in men and thirteenth overall cause of death in the U.S.

PAD exists when the arteries supplying blood to the lower extremities become narrowed or clogged by a buildup of fatty plaque. It is also a strong predictor of heart disease. PAD affects as many as one in twenty people over the age of 50. Those with PAD are at four times greater risk of having a heart attack. Individuals with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have coronary artery disease.

Another area of long-term health which often goes undetected until a problem occurs is osteoporosis. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures, especially of the hip, spine and wrist, although any bone can be affected.

Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for an estimated 44 million Americans, or 55 percent of the people 50 years of age and older. In the U.S., 10 million individuals are estimated to already have the disease and almost 34 million more are estimated to have low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis.

The mission of Life Line Screening is to make people aware of the existence of an undetected health problem and instruct them to seek follow-up care with their personal physician. The screenings have been shown to save many lives and prevent long-term disability because of detection of these diseases.

Your physician typically will not order expensive diagnostic testing unless it is a medical necessity. If disease is detected through a screening, your physician will then be able to proceed with further evaluation.

Life Line Screening is the nation’s leading provider of Preventive Mobile Health screenings. They offer the screening programs in local communities through organizations such as county Farm Bureaus.

Gordon County Farm Bureau was one of the first Farm Bureaus in Georgia to offer a Life Line Screening program. In 2003 they hosted two events for a total of 87 persons and hosted two more during 2004. Other county Farm Bureaus include Catoosa, Monroe, Butts, Oglethorpe, Stephens, Fayette, Pike, Dawson, Lamar, Chattooga, and Bartow. During the fall, screenings are scheduled for South Fulton, Spalding, Clayton, Walker, Upson and Paulding counties.

This is an opportunity for your county Farm Bureau to create community awareness and aid in the identification of undiagnosed disease both for your members and others who live and work in the local area. For information on how you can sponsor a Life Line Screening in your community, contact Kathleen Elmiger, Senior Health Service Coordinator, Life Line Screening at 1-800-897-9177 Ext. 969. You can also visit www.lifelinescreening.com for more information.

ATV Safety

Carbon Monoxide Safety

Chain Saw Safety

Fire Safety

Grain Bin Safety

Harvest Safety

Pesticide Record Keeping

Pond Safety

Power Theft

Slow-Moving Farm Vehicles

Storm Safety

Sun Safety

Working Outside in Winter