RESUMO
It is well documented that Chagas disease (CD) can pose a public health problem to countries. As one of the World Health Organization Neglected Tropical Diseases undoubtedly calls for comprehensive healthcare, transcending a restricted biomedical approach. After more than a century since their discovery, in 1909, people affected by CD are still frequently marginalised and/or neglected. The aim of this article is to tell the story of their activism, highlighting key historical experiences and successful initiatives, from 1909 to 2019. The first association was created in 1987, in the city of Recife, Brazil. So far, thirty associations have been reported on five continents. They were created as independent non-profit civil society organisations and run democratically by affected people. Among the common associations' objectives, we notably find: increase the visibility of the affected; make their voice heard; build bridges between patients, health system professionals, public health officials, policy makers and the academic and scientific communities. The International Federation of Associations of People Affected by CD - FINDECHAGAS, created in 2010 with the input of the Americas, Europe and the Western Pacific, counts as one of the main responses to the globalisation of CD. Despite all the obstacles and difficulties encountered, the Federation has thrived, grown, and matured. As a result of this mobilisation along with the support of many national and international partners, in May 2019 the 72nd World Health Assembly decided to establish World Chagas Disease Day, on 14 April. The associative movement has increased the understanding of the challenges related to the disease and breaks the silence around Chagas disease, improving surveillance, and sustaining engagement towards the United Nations 2030 agenda.
RESUMO
Resumo:O contexto atual de construção de hidrelétricas no Brasil apresenta diversas controvérsias, pautadas especialmente na contradição existente entre o discurso oficial focado nos benefícios gerados por esses empreendimentos e os importantes impactos socioambientais, sérios e irreversíveis, provocados pela construção das usinas e evidenciados pelas experiências daqueles que vivenciam essas transformações. Neste sentido, este artigo se propõe a analisar e discutir as interfaces entre desenvolvimento econômico, meio ambiente e saúde no contexto da construção de hidrelétricas no Brasil.
Abstract:The current context of the construction of dams in Brazil shows several controversies, mainly lined up with the existing contradiction between the official speech focused on the benefits resulting from such enterprises and the important, serious and irreversible socio environmental impacts caused by the construction of dams, which are attested by the experience of those people who pass through such transformations. In this sense, the present article proposes to analyze and discuss the interfaces between economic development, environment and health in the context of the construction of dams in Brazil.