Hats for better health.

AuthorGatewood, Ashley
PositionEssay

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

In an area of Bolivia with one of the world's highest ultraviolet radiation (UVR) index ratings, the vast majority of the population doesn't wear sunscreen. It's not easy to find, it's expensive, and in general, people aren't aware of its benefits. At the same time, youth are foregoing traditional head protection in the name of fashion, and concern is growing that this exposure to the sun could have a negative impact on children as they grow older.

The Bolivian municipalities of Mecapaca and Pucarani are located on the Altiplano, a 13,000 foot high plateau in the Bolivian Andes. At this dizzying height, where outsiders find themselves gasping for oxygen in the thin atmosphere, UVR exposure is intense due to a confluence of natural factors: low cloud coverage, cold dry climate, low ozone levels, tropical latitude sun, and broad horizons.

Many of the region's inhabitants are members of the Aymara ethnic group, which has lived in the Altiplano for millennia and comprises a quarter of Bolivia's total population. The Aymara have managed to thrive despite the punishing mountainous terrain and climate. Long periods of sun exposure are common among all age groups where children often walk hours to school and most adults work in agriculture.

UVR creates damage to children's skin and eyes that may lead to serious health complications later in life. While the darker skin pigmentation of the Aymara offers them some sun protection, it is not enough for a lifetime in these conditions. Recent changes in fashion trends are increasing the population's exposure to the sun. Older generations wore hats with wide-brims that stretched fully around their crowns. The youth of today prefer baseball caps, which incidentally provide no shade for the back of the neck or sides of the face.

Over time, says Dr. Francesco Zaratti, director of the Laboratorio de Fisica de la Atmósfera in La Paz, UVR exposure takes a dangerous toll. Skin cancer and early eye cataracts are common among adults on the Altiplano, and treatment is not readily available in these communities. The limited access to healthcare makes it all the more imperative that prevention begin early to prevent debilitating complications later on in life. With this in mind, Dr. Zaratti devised a project to curb children's exposure to high UVR levels.

He set out to persuade communities and authorities that they should incorporate a protective hat into the school uniform of children from age...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT