Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42343263›Full record

SynthesisBMC public health2026

Heat-related illness symptoms among migrant farmworkers: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Lena van Selm, Sarah Williams, Eman Elafef, Helena Marti-Soler, Simona Vecchi, Francesca de'Donato, Manuela De Sario, Ana Requena-Méndez

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Lena van SelmBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. Marlena.vanselm@isglobal.org.ORCID 0000-0002-0980-1424
Sarah WilliamsBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID 0009-0003-9263-4202
Eman ElafefBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID 0009-0005-4543-4720
Helena Marti-SolerBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID 0000-0002-7127-205X
Simona VecchiDepartment of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service/ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-3893-8403
Francesca de'DonatoDepartment of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service/ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-2225-9457
Manuela De Sario *Department of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service/ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-1117-2735
Ana Requena-Méndez *Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID 0000-0002-4422-241X

Funding

Horizon Europe 101057131
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFarmworkers are at risk for heat-related illnesses (HRI) due to intensifying heat exposure resulting from climate change. Migrant farmworkers might be at further increased risk due to limited control over workplace conditions and language and cultural barriers. This systematic literature review and meta-analysis aims to assess the global prevalence of self-reported heat-related illnesses among migrant farmworkers.

methodsWe searched five databases for peer-reviewed literature and additional sources to capture grey literature in any language up to October 2024. Studies providing self-reported heat-related symptoms among migrant farmworkers were included. A random effects model was used to calculate the pooled proportion of individual and combined heat-related health outcomes. Separate pooled estimates were included for each symptom as well as the number of symptoms. Risk of bias was assessed using the JBI quality assessment tool.

resultsSeventeen papers were included, including data from 2966 migrant farmworkers. The pooled proportion for having at least one HRI symptom was 52% (95%CI 39-65) and 21% (95%CI 4-44) reported at least three HRI symptoms. Heterogeneity was high across all pooled estimates (I² ranging from 83% to 99%). The most common symptoms were extreme sweating (46%), weakness (45%), and headache (36%). No differences were found between internal and international migrants nor between studies asking about HRI symptoms experienced in a short-term (e.g., the past week) versus longer periods. DISCUSSION AND

conclusionMigrant farmworkers reported a high proportion of HRI symptoms. Standardized HRI symptom questionnaires and physiological monitoring can aid in early detection to prevent more serious health issues, allow comparison across settings, and support interventions to mitigate heat-related occupational health risks.

Indexed as

FarmersHeat Stress DisordersTransients and MigrantsHot TemperatureHumansPrevalenceWorking ConditionsFarmersHeatHeat related illnessesOccupational ExposureOccupational HealthOutdoor WorkersTransients and Migrants

Identifiers

PMID42343263
PMCPMC13471271

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.