COHR is collaborating with Washington State University on a research partnership for Dairy Safety and Health to discover how working on dairy farms could affect the microbiome of workers.
Dairy workers perform multiple tasks that involve exposure to microbes and allergens from animals and feeds, yet some studies have reported lower rates of allergy and infection among farmers compared to the general population.
It is possible that if working on a farm could create a healthier gut microbiome, that could help prevent infections and allergies. This could have implications for the general health of communities as well. COHR’s Healthy Dairy Worker study has enrolled workers on dairy farms in Washington and is following them over time to determine the relationship between microbiome changes and health status.