Farmworker Vulnerability to Heat Hazards: A Conceptual Framework

Abstract

Purpose To review factors that impact the effect of hot environments on the human body in order to develop a conceptual model of human biological response. Methods The organizing concept for the model development was the multilevel integration of three major factors, exposure to heat, sensitivity and adaptive capacity, and the heat stress response. Exposure of a vulnerable occupational group was used to illustrate the components of the model. Findings Components of this framework include the hazard (environmental heat stress), vulnerability factors (workplace exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity), and the heat stress response. The combination of the vulnerability factors of workplace exposure (work intensity, duration), sensitivity (age, gender, etc.), and adaptive capacity (hydration, clothing, work hygiene) mediate a worker’s heat stress response to the hazard. A worker’s heat stress response can be classified as progressing towards two outcomes: physiologic equilibrium or physiologic disequilibrium. Conclusions This framework provides a starting point for the design and development of studies of heat-related illness (HRI) in farmworker and other vulnerable populations exposed to rising global temperatures.

Alignment and contribution of nursing doctoral programs to achieve the sustainable development goals

“…In this sense, the Environmental Theory proposed by Florence Nightingale [ 27 ], is relevant as nurses with a holistic view, are active in contexts related to environment and sustainability. Therefore, nurses are agents who design plans to cope with the consequences of climate change and potential dissemination of heart and respiratory diseases, for instance, as well as plan how to support and treat mental health in periods of drought and circumstances of fires and floods; in addition to working in situations of insanitation when houses and communities are destroyed [ 28 , 29 ]. It is also possible to envision the role of nurses in contexts lacking clean drinking water, to instruct the population regarding potential diseases [ 30 ].…”

Lessons Learned from Data Collection as Health Screening in Underserved Farmworker Communities

“…[16][17][18] This community-based participatory research project and other recent studies have revealed that workplace heat is a concern for farmworkers. 5,19,20 The Centers …”

What the Agricultural Sector in Florida Needs to Know about Heat-Related Illness (HRI)

“…But high temperatures and humid conditions can happen even during the winter months, the peak season for crop production in the state (Morano, Watkins, & Kintziger, 2016;Sheridan & Lee, 2018). Heat-related illness can affect anyone, but there are higher risks for individuals performing strenuous physical activity, those who are not acclimated to the heat, those with chronic health issues, and those who may begin their workday without adequate hydration (Mac & McCauley, 2017;Mix et al, 2018;NIOSH, 2016b). While most agricultural injuries are underreported, death from HRI stands out, and there are recent cases of farmworkers experiencing fatal heat stroke in Florida (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019: Morano, Watkins, & Kintziger, 2016).…”