Mapping Vulnerability during Brazil's Dengue Crisis

This project aims to identify factors of structural inequality and assess to what magnitude they interact to disproportionately expose disadvantaged populations to dengue fever; and to evaluate the effectiveness of current control strategies in mitigating outbreaks in disadvantaged communities.
Project status
Ongoing
Departments
International

Amidst an unprecedented outbreak of dengue fever sweeping through South America, Brazil faces significant challenges as cases soar, particularly affecting impoverished communities. With over 1 million reported cases since January 2024, the country grapples with limited vaccine supplies and escalating health emergencies in multiple states. This crisis, unfolding in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, underscores the urgent need for strategies to address epidemic preparedness and equitable healthcare. Our research aims to uncover the intricate interplay between structural inequality and dengue fever, examining how disadvantaged populations bear the brunt of exposure and disease severity. By evaluating current control strategies and healthcare resource allocation, we seek to inform policy decisions and shape effective interventions to mitigate risk and address health disparities. This study offers timely insights into epidemic response, governance, and approaches to tackling health inequalities, with implications for shaping social and public health policy to address pandemic preparedness in Brazil.

Research Team: Dr Sabrina Li, University of Nottingham; Dr Carlos A Prete Jr, University of São Paulo

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