Risk for renal injury from heat-related stress among outdoor workers and the imperative for climate-responsive health policies

Exposed to prolonged and extreme heat, outdoor workers face significant risks of acute and chronic kidney damage, including acute kidney injury and chronic interstitial nephritis in agricultural communities. Growing concerns over heat-related health issues in temperate, continental, and dry climates call for adaptive public health strategies that span diverse geographic areas. This communication reviews the policies in the United States addressing heat-related stress, identifies barriers to implementing effective health policies, and provides recommendations underscoring the need for comprehensive policy development to safeguard this high-risk population against climate-induced health threats.