Occupational heat stress intervention to prevent Chronic Kidney Disease of undetermined causes (CKDnT) among sugarcane workers in Nicaragua
Many laborers are confronted with occupational heat stress from physically demanding work in high environmental temperatures with inadequate protections. Heat stress has multiple well-established adverse health outcomes, including increased accidents, heart attacks, heat illness, stroke, and organ damage including kidney diseases. All are potentially fatal and associated with decreased productivity. Heat stress and its health effects harm workers, communities, employers, and health systems. Active intervention in a warming world is required. Chronic Kidney Disease of undetermined causes (CKDnT) is a fatal progressive loss of kidney function that has killed more than 40,000 people in Mesoamerica and Sri Lanka alone in the last 10 years. Treatment is out of reach for most ensuring an early death for those affected.
La Isla Network are leading the PREP intervention program aimed at addressing heat stress among sugarcane workers in Mesoamerica. The PREP program has four key components:
Prevention of heat stress through:
- scheduled and mandated rest in shade
- mandated hydration including electrolyte breaks
- sanitation initiatives
- personal protective equipment to prevent injuries including sweat-wicking shirts
- reduction in workload from shorter shifts (14 versus 6 hours) and shorter working weeks (7 versus 6 days).
- Resilience of communities and health systems facing socioeconomic challenges from heat-related illnesses.
- Efficiency in organizational systems to increase production, expediting uptake of prevention in affected industries.
- Protection findings to inform policies for protecting workers in both the public and private sector.