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Brazil: Public Health and Community Welfare

Program Highlights

Brazil is a continental-size country of tremendous importance to Latin America and the world. The Northeast region, known in Brazil as the Nordeste, is home to 45 million people -- one-third of the Brazilian population. With high infant morality, illiteracy rates of near 50 percent and unemployment around 30 percent, the Brazilian northeast is one of the poorest regions in the hemisphere. It represents the vast human and environmental challenges confronting populations designated as «Third World» in many parts of the world, and is an area well suited in which to consider the health challenges of the poor and possible health care responses, both governmental and alternative.

Salvador -Capital of the State of Bahia

Salvador is the capital of the State of Bahia and the largest city in the Northeast region. It has a population of 2.8 million. UNESCO has declared it a world heritage site due to its historical importance, cultural vibrancy and esthetic appeal. Salvador was the first capital of Brazil, and the center of the Portuguese colonial empire. Due to this historical legacy, the city and state today have the largest African descended population of the nation. It has been estimated that 80 percent of Salvador’s residents are Afro-Brazilian. This demographic reality makes Salvador an ideal program base from which to explore the issues of public health, community welfare and social justice.

Opportunity to Observe and Participate in Health Care Projects

Health care issues loom among the most important, and challenging, for the Brazilian government, with health care demands far outstripping the available resources and infrastructure. The current Brazilian health care system has had some successes (i.e. AIDS prevention) but also clear inadequacies (i.e. health care for the most impoverished). The program provides a chance to learn about and observe public health policies both «on the books» and «in practice.» Many of the lectures and discussions will take place at health care sites in Salvador, thus affording program participants a «window» upon which to see many different components and actors involved in health care provision in the Brazilian Northeast. Program members will also have the opportunity to engage in health care projects to benefit local community members.

Focus on the African-Brazil Population of the Northeast

Brazil has the largest population of African descendents outside Africa; and the largest concentration of African-Brazilians is found in the Northeast region, especially the state of Bahia. Consequently, this area is an ideal location to consider issues related to the African Diaspora in Brazil, with particular emphasis upon the health care needs and considerations of the African-descended. Along with exploring the governmental health care system in the context of institutionalized racism, poverty, and social exclusion, the healing practices of the African-Brazilian community will be actively examined, especially those of Candomble (which was outlawed in Bahia until 1970).

Visit to Quilombos

Over a thousand quilombos (rural communities founded by ex-slaves) dot the entire Northeast region. Many of these historic communities have historically been isolated and excluded from mainstream society and even today the living and health conditions can be extremely poor. Since 1988, the quilombo communities have been recognized as having special legal rights, just like indigenous communities. Despite «official» recognition, however, the struggles of these communities continue around issues of land tenure, education and health care. Students will be able to visit two quilombo communities, living with community members and participating in a health fair.