Climate Change and Women’s Health in the Brazilian Amazon: A Local Perspective

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Maria Vitória is a 20-year-old medical student at Faculdade Metropolitana de Manaus (FAMETRO), currently in her fifth semester, in Brazil. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

Climate variations caused by human intervention have increased the number of floods, favoring the emergence of diseases related to contaminated water, such as leptospirosis and dengue [1]. In this context, marginalized groups, such as riverside populations who live along the Amazon River and its tributaries and do not have full access to healthcare and basic sanitation policies, are among the most affected. In addition, because they live close to native vegetation, they are more exposed to infectious diseases endemic to the region, such as dengue and malaria.

Moreover, studies from 2024 [2] show that the presence of air pollutants, associated with the hot and humid climate of the region, can be an important factor in the increase of pneumonia cases in the city of Manaus, Brazil.

In this scenario, it is important to highlight that women may be the most affected. In many cases, they take on the role of housekeepers and are responsible for taking care of children and the community, increasing exposure to contaminated environments and sick individuals. Furthermore, during pregnancy, there are additional risks both for the woman and the fetus.

Thus, it is clear that the impacts generated by climate change do not occur equally for everyone, mainly affecting more vulnerable populations, such as women. Therefore, it is necessary to think about strategies that improve access to healthcare, sanitation conditions, and consider these inequalities.

For future healthcare professionals, it is important to recognize these inequalities and consider them in clinical practice. However, current medical education still lacks effective approaches to prepare professionals to deal with social and environmental issues.

References

1. Silva M, et al. Impact of climate variability on waterborne diseases in Brazil. Cad Saude Publica. 2017. doi:10.1590/0102-311X00002817
2. Santos LKC, Aleixo NCR, Nascimento Junior L. Condicionantes climáticos e vulnerabilidade social na morbidade por pneumonia em Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil. Rev Bras Climatol. 2024. doi:10.55761/abclima.v34i20.17597

About the author

Maria Vitória is a 20-year-old medical student at Faculdade Metropolitana de Manaus (FAMETRO), currently in her fifth semester. She is originally from Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, and has a background in surgical instrumentation. She is a member of the Scientific Research Center (NUPEC), linked to IFMSA, where she is involved in academic activities, with an interest in medical training and patient care.