Chronic Kidney Disease in Central American Workers - Interventions (Part 4 of 4)

Part 1- Introduction

History of the Epidemic in Central America

Statistics

Chronic Kidney Disease – basics

Part 2 – Research and Literature Review

                        Introduction to the Research

                        Etiology

                        Morphology and Pathology

                        Possible Solutions

                        Areas for Additional Research

Part 3 – Social Impacts

                        Narrative

                        Financial Impacts

Part 4 - Interventions

 Sugarcane worker in Nicaragua chopping down sugarcane

http://www.fairfood.org/project/sugarcane-central-america/

Interventions

Setting workplace interventions to alleviate and reduce the intensity of labor and heat exhaustion has been the primary message of several organizations that aim to end Chronic Kidney Disease . The Worker Health Efficiency (WE) Program in El Salvador works with several organizations to provide sugar cane workers with water, rest, shade and more effective tools. Representatives from OSHA provide recommendations for safe working conditions, and Camelbak provides discounted water packs to the WE program.  Allowing workers to properly hydrate and rest in shaded areas has reduced heat stress thus preventing the repeated acute kidney damage that leads to Chronic Kidney Disease. The Australian Cane Farmers Association  teach cane cutters techniques to preserve energy and increase productivity.  The WE program has taken responsible measures to reduce occupational hazards for sugarcane workers.

Sugarcane workers refilling their water packs

Communities across Latin America are pushing for the industry to reconsider paying hourly wages. Many workers are paid by the weight of sugar cane harvested and are under extreme pressure to be as efficient as possible. In the short video "OFF AIR" by the Isla Foundation, sugarcane workers discuss the reality and fear of retribution when speaking out.  In Nicaragua, the Nicaragua Sugar Estates Limited (NSEL) cut off the monthly food stipend of workers who talked about working conditions to the media. The primary source of income for many families is working sugarcane fields. The risk of losing jobs, food stipends and medical provisions will  discourage communities from demanding change.

The cause of Chronic Kidney Disease is widely discussed and consensus has not been reached on causal relationships. In El Salvador, pesticides are the primary concern. In 2013 El Salvadoran congress passed legislation to ban the import of pesticides in an effort to protect  against diseases. Researchers are attempting to collect stronger evidence on the causes of Chronic Kidney Disease to cement the relationship between occupational hazards and CKD. Many believe an extreme ban of pesticides will derail the conversation and impede occupational interventions.  

This series was researched and written by (in alphabetical order by last name): Jessica Chepp, Aleena McDaniel, Cara McShane, Christine Spees, and Kimberly Vargas
All are Master of Public Health candidates at the University of Illinois - Chicago