I-CASH's ultimate goal is for each farmer in Iowa to live within 50 miles of an AgriSafe clinic. The clinic network was begun in 1987 after Kelley Donham, D.V.M., professor of occupational and environmental health at the UI College of Public Health and director of I-CASH, visited and observed a clinic network set up to serve agricultural workers in Sweden. People want educational opportunities like those provided through the clinics, and there has been a corresponding increase in the public perception and awareness of the AgriSafe clinic program throughout the state. These services are tailored for each individual farmer so that his or her unique health and safety needs are met. Clinic services are designed to target high-risk areas of health and safety for agricultural workers.
Farmers come into the clinic with a wide range of needs and issues.
The first component of health services provided through the clinic is a visit by the farmer for an in-depth occupational health screening and a series of health tests. The tests performed include pulmonary function, cholinesterase, cholesterol, blood pressure, hearing, vision, height, weight and skin cancer screening. The initial series of tests is used to establish a baseline for the farmer's overall health and to monitor any significant changes in the farmer's health over time. The results of these tests are also used to help determine what kind of safety equipment would be most useful to the farmer and what areas of his health are at the highest risk. Environmental evaluations are performed in order to make recommendations for health and safety practices that are specifically tailored to a farmer's working area.