La Isla, a small community located on the outskirts of Chichigalpa, Nicaragua in the Central America lowlands, depends on the sugar cane industry for its economic survival. Yet, 70% of the men, ages 18-40s+, working in the industry develop Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) due to unknown causes. Research done by US and Nicaraguan universities has not yielded answers as to the cause of the disease. Meanwhile roughly 250 men are dying every year leaving their community to take on the nickname “la Isla de Viudas,” “(the isle of widows).” La Isla Foundation wants to help.
International Video: A medical mystery in Nicaragua killing off sugar cane workers
