09/17/2026
๐จ ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ธ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ป๐ฒ๐ ๐ฑ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ป๐ฒ๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐บ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐น๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฒ๐
๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฎ๐. A new report highlights cases of chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu) among agricultural workers in Texas. Unlike many forms of kidney disease, CKDu can affect younger, working-age people who do not have traditional risk factors such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Researchers have linked the disease to strenuous physical labor in extreme heat, although its exact cause remains under investigation.
The concern is especially significant for farmworkers, whose jobs can mean hours of intense physical labor under high temperatures. Experts cited in the report warn that heat-sensitive illnesses such as CKDu could become an increasing occupational-health challenge.
This is another reminder that heat protection is about more than preventing heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Repeated exposure to extreme heat can have serious consequences for workersโ long-term health.
๐ง Access to drinking water
๐ณ Regular rest and shade
๐ก๏ธ Heat-illness prevention and training
๐ฉบ Access to healthcare and early screening
๐ท Workplace protections that recognize the realities of agricultural labor
Farmworkers help sustain Americaโs food system. Protecting their health must be part of protecting that system.
๐ Read the PEOPLE report: https://people.com/a-mysterious-disease-is-striking-texas-farm-workers-121123289
