ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Deforestation and high human mobility due to mining activities have been key to the increase in malaria cases in the Americas. Here, we review the epidemiological and control aspects of malaria in the Amazon mining areas. Epidemiological evidence shows: 1) a positive correlation between illegal mining activity and malaria incidence, mostly in the Amazon region; 2) most Brazilian miners are males aged 15-29 years who move between states and even countries; 3) miners do not fear the disease and rely on medical care, diagnosis, and medication when they become ill; 4) illegal mining has emerged as the most reported anthropogenic activity within indigenous lands and is identified as a major cause of malaria outbreaks among indigenous people in the Amazon; and 5) because mining is largely illegal, most areas are not covered by any healthcare facilities or activities, leading to little assistance in the diagnosis and treatment of malaria. Our review identified five strategies for reducing the malaria incidence in areas with mining activities: 1) reviewing legislation to control deforestation and mining expansion, particularly in indigenous lands; 2) strengthening malaria surveillance by expanding the network of community health agents to support rapid diagnosis and treatment; 3) reinforcing vector control strategies, such as the use of insecticide-treated nets; 4) integrating deforestation alerts into the national malaria control program; and 5) implementing multi-sectoral activities and providing prompt assistance to indigenous populations. With this roadmap, we can expect a decrease in malaria incidence in the Amazonian mining areas in the future.
ABSTRACT
Diante de questões relacionadas aos fatores de degradação socioambiental decorrentes do modelo de desenvolvimento vigente, o presente artigo propôs uma reflexão sobre o papel do desenvolvimento sustentável e o seu enfrentamento diante das dissonâncias entre os setores produtivos e as questões relacionadas ao meio ambiente e à saúde. O licenciamento ambiental de empreendimentos, além de representar um marco histórico importante e de extrema necessidade em relação à prevenção dos impactos sociais e ambientais decorrentes do desenvolvimento econômico, se abre também como oportunidade para o setor da saúde no fortalecimento das ações intersetoriais. A construção de uma agenda integradora, guiada pela sustentabilidade e promoção à saúde, poderá contribuir para a construção de instrumentos ou metodologias que avaliem os impactos à saúde originados dos processos produtivos, a exemplo da Avaliação de Impacto à Saúde (AIS).