Environmental degradation, climate change and health from the perspective of Brazilian Indigenous stakeholders: a qualitative study

Background The WHO identifies climate change as the most significant threat to global health systems. Indigenous peoples, whose lives are deeply intertwined with nature, are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of these changes.Objective This study aimed to understand the perspectives of Indigenou...

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Main Authors: Antonio José Grande, Seeromanie Harding, Maria Inês Da Rosa, Ieda M A V Dias, Paulo T C Jardim, Alessandra Aparecida Vieira Machado, Jacks Soratto, Luciane Bisognin Ceretta, Xanthi Zourntos, Regeane Oliveira Suares
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2024-09-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/9/e083624.full
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author Antonio José Grande
Seeromanie Harding
Maria Inês Da Rosa
Ieda M A V Dias
Paulo T C Jardim
Alessandra Aparecida Vieira Machado
Jacks Soratto
Luciane Bisognin Ceretta
Xanthi Zourntos
Regeane Oliveira Suares
author_facet Antonio José Grande
Seeromanie Harding
Maria Inês Da Rosa
Ieda M A V Dias
Paulo T C Jardim
Alessandra Aparecida Vieira Machado
Jacks Soratto
Luciane Bisognin Ceretta
Xanthi Zourntos
Regeane Oliveira Suares
author_sort Antonio José Grande
collection DOAJ
description Background The WHO identifies climate change as the most significant threat to global health systems. Indigenous peoples, whose lives are deeply intertwined with nature, are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of these changes.Objective This study aimed to understand the perspectives of Indigenous stakeholders and public services managers on the interconnectedness of climate change and Indigenous health.Design A qualitative study with 22 Indigenous stakeholders and public service managers on climate change and perceived impact on Indigenous health.Setting and participants Indigenous stakeholders and public service managers on climate change and perceived impact on Indigenous health from Brazil. Data was collected through interviews incorporating two vignette videos depicting environmental and health scenarios. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data.Results The analytical process yielded six subcategories that were further grouped into three overarching thematic macro-categories: environmental degradation and climate change in the context of Indigenous peoples; environment, vulnerability and impact on Indigenous mental health; and actions and public health policies for Indigenous peoples.Conclusion The perspectives of Indigenous stakeholders and public service managers on the interconnectedness of climate change and Indigenous health were deeply entrenched in their lived experiences of loss of their lands from deforestation and environmental degradation. They argued strongly for the strengthening of public health policies aimed at the Indigenous peoples, to face many challenges, especially suicide, and to have a voice in decision-making. A sensitive approach that values Indigenous peoples' connections with nature is fundamental to promote their health and well-being.
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spelling doaj-art-932f1d0941a243b2ae29cb4c4404abe12025-08-20T01:54:46ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552024-09-0114910.1136/bmjopen-2023-083624Environmental degradation, climate change and health from the perspective of Brazilian Indigenous stakeholders: a qualitative studyAntonio José Grande0Seeromanie Harding1Maria Inês Da Rosa2Ieda M A V Dias3Paulo T C Jardim4Alessandra Aparecida Vieira Machado5Jacks Soratto6Luciane Bisognin Ceretta7Xanthi Zourntos8Regeane Oliveira Suares9Universidade Estadual do Mato Grosso do Sul, Dourados, BrazilDepartment of Population Health Sciences, King`s College London, London, UKUniversidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciuma, BrazilFederal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, BrazilUniversidade Estadual do Mato Grosso do Sul, Dourados, BrazilUniversidade Estadual do Mato Grosso do Sul, Dourados, BrazilUniversidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciuma, BrazilUniversidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciuma, BrazilDepartment of Population Health Sciences, King`s College London, London, UKUniversidade Estadual do Mato Grosso do Sul, Dourados, BrazilBackground The WHO identifies climate change as the most significant threat to global health systems. Indigenous peoples, whose lives are deeply intertwined with nature, are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of these changes.Objective This study aimed to understand the perspectives of Indigenous stakeholders and public services managers on the interconnectedness of climate change and Indigenous health.Design A qualitative study with 22 Indigenous stakeholders and public service managers on climate change and perceived impact on Indigenous health.Setting and participants Indigenous stakeholders and public service managers on climate change and perceived impact on Indigenous health from Brazil. Data was collected through interviews incorporating two vignette videos depicting environmental and health scenarios. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data.Results The analytical process yielded six subcategories that were further grouped into three overarching thematic macro-categories: environmental degradation and climate change in the context of Indigenous peoples; environment, vulnerability and impact on Indigenous mental health; and actions and public health policies for Indigenous peoples.Conclusion The perspectives of Indigenous stakeholders and public service managers on the interconnectedness of climate change and Indigenous health were deeply entrenched in their lived experiences of loss of their lands from deforestation and environmental degradation. They argued strongly for the strengthening of public health policies aimed at the Indigenous peoples, to face many challenges, especially suicide, and to have a voice in decision-making. A sensitive approach that values Indigenous peoples' connections with nature is fundamental to promote their health and well-being.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/9/e083624.full
spellingShingle Antonio José Grande
Seeromanie Harding
Maria Inês Da Rosa
Ieda M A V Dias
Paulo T C Jardim
Alessandra Aparecida Vieira Machado
Jacks Soratto
Luciane Bisognin Ceretta
Xanthi Zourntos
Regeane Oliveira Suares
Environmental degradation, climate change and health from the perspective of Brazilian Indigenous stakeholders: a qualitative study
BMJ Open
title Environmental degradation, climate change and health from the perspective of Brazilian Indigenous stakeholders: a qualitative study
title_full Environmental degradation, climate change and health from the perspective of Brazilian Indigenous stakeholders: a qualitative study
title_fullStr Environmental degradation, climate change and health from the perspective of Brazilian Indigenous stakeholders: a qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed Environmental degradation, climate change and health from the perspective of Brazilian Indigenous stakeholders: a qualitative study
title_short Environmental degradation, climate change and health from the perspective of Brazilian Indigenous stakeholders: a qualitative study
title_sort environmental degradation climate change and health from the perspective of brazilian indigenous stakeholders a qualitative study
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/9/e083624.full
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