Review of Surveillance Research - Agriculture Forestry and Fishing Research at NIOSH - page 56

information is evident, but other areas need better and more surveillance data.
Further, the surveillance data need to be used in a more systematic manner for
the development of research agendas and for the development and evaluation of
intervention programs.
LOGIC SUBMODEL
Information received from the NIOSH AFF Program (NIOSH, 2006a) related
to inputs, activities, outputs, intermediate outcomes, and end outcomes in sur-
veillance is summarized in the surveillance logic submodel (Figure 4-1). Several
factors were missing in the creation of an accurate logic submodel to evaluate the
program's surveillance efforts. No formal infrastructure for the coordination of
surveillance activities was described. A schema for identification of populations at
risk that merited surveillance was not provided. And, planning input from stake-
holders regarding surveillance activity was not identified.
INPUTS
Planning Inputs
Congress spelled out a specific charge to NIOSH for conducting surveillance
in the Senate appropriations language of 1990 (as quoted in http://www.cdc.gov/
niosh/nas/agforish/pdfs/app-0.pdf ): Funds were specifically earmarked for a “U.S.
farm family health and hazard” surveillance program. Testimony rendered by
agricultural safety and public health professions in support of the legislation was
explicit that surveillance of these worksites was central to all ensuing effort. The
phrase farm family was not intended to refer only to farmers, ranchers, and their
families; rather, it referred to all persons performing tasks or residing on a farm,
including hired laborers and accompanying family members. The other planning
input that was referred to in the evidence package was the National Coalition for
Agricultural Safety and Health report (Appendix 2-01 in NIOSH, 2006a), which
suggested that adequate population-based rates were not available for agriculturally
related diseases and injuries, therefore health and hazard surveys of agricultural
workers needs to be conducted. In forestry, strategic planning evidence came from
the Pacific Northwest Center and addressed northwest forestry only. Significant
efforts related to fatal injury surveillance in the Alaska fishing sector have been
conducted with evidence that Gulf Coast fishing is being addressed by one of the
NIOSH Centers for Agricultural Disease and Injury Research, Education, and
Prevention (Ag Centers).