Date: 13 February 2024
Time: 14:00-16:00
Location: ZOOM & Sala Cambournac | IHMT-NOVA
Health Inequalities in Brazil – The Indigenous Issue and Its Implications for Global Health
The health status of Indigenous peoples in Brazil is shaped by deep inequalities rooted in historical contexts of exclusion, discrimination, and prejudice, compounded by the invasion of traditional territories and the ongoing impacts of economic and environmental exploitation. This lecture will explore key Indigenous health indicators, highlighting disparities in morbidity, infant mortality, access to healthcare services, and exposure to infectious diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis.
The discussion will also delve into the social determinants that perpetuate these inequities, alongside the pressing challenges of today, including environmental devastation and illegal gold mining in Indigenous territories. By connecting these realities to global conversations on health and equity, the session aims to foster reflection on shared responsibilities and potential solutions, emphasizing the role of public policies in reducing inequalities and strengthening the health of Indigenous peoples on a global scale.
Additionally, this presentation will provide an overview of a key study, focusing on the following aspects:
- Demographic and sociocultural characteristics of Indigenous peoples living in Brazil today.
- General health indicators, including infant mortality rates, the prevalence of infectious and parasitic diseases, and nutritional imbalances.
- Impacts of illegal gold mining and the indiscriminate use of mercury in selected Indigenous territories.
- The importance of preserving the Amazon for Global Health.
About Paulo Basta
Paulo Cesar Basta is a public health physician and holds a PhD in Public Health. He works as a professor and researcher at the Graduate Program in Epidemiology in Public Health at ENSP/Fiocruz. He leads the research groups “Epidemiology and Control of Tuberculosis in Indigenous Areas” and “Environment, Diversity, and Health.” His research experience includes studies in the field of surveillance of infectious diseases and the impacts of chronic mercury exposure on Indigenous populations. He is also a cultural producer for the project Ciência e Poesia (Science and Poetry): YouTube link.
Additional Resources
Note: The session will be held in Portuguese.
If you are a GHTM member, you will receive the details of the session by e-mail. If your are not a GHTM member and would like to join the session, please contact us at ghtm-info@ihmt.unl.pt.