INCÊNDIOS, MUDANÇAS CLIMÁTICAS E SAÚDE

The document examines the synergistic crisis of wildfires and anthropogenic climate change in Latin America, highlighting severe physical and mental health impacts. It identifies vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and indigenous communities, and calls for a paradigm shift toward preventive, integrated policies. Key recommendations include sustainable land management, strengthening environmental health surveillance, and integrating indigenous knowledge into fire management strategies.

• Latin America is experiencing a public health crisis driven by the increasing frequency, intensity, and geographic reach of wildfires, with devastating events recorded in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Paraguay.
• In Brazil, 11.39 million hectares were devastated by fires in the first eight months of 2024, a result of global warming, human activities, and the consecutive effects of El Niño and La Niña.
• Wildfire smoke contains a toxic mix of fine particles (PM2.5) and carbon monoxide that causes immediate respiratory and cardiovascular complications, as well as long-term risks including lung cancer, heart failure, and neurodegenerative diseases like dementia.
• Wildfires increase the risk of zoonotic diseases by altering landscapes and forcing animals to relocate, which increases interactions between wildlife, domestic animals, and humans; for example, displaced rodents may increase hantavirus transmission.
• Certain groups face disproportionate health risks, including children due to respiratory system development, pregnant women (linked to premature birth and low birth weight), and firefighters who face high smoke inhalation and occupational hazards.
• The document identifies a critical disconnect between public perception and actual health risks, as well as a fragmented response where public health efforts are poorly coordinated with environmental policies.
• Proposed policy actions include stopping deforestation driven by agricultural expansion, transitioning to sustainable agriculture, and investing in environmental health surveillance and early warning systems for air and water quality.
• The brief emphasizes the need to recognize and preserve the traditional ecological knowledge of indigenous and local communities regarding fire management and to ensure their full participation in policy development.

APA

Camargo, T., Uribe, P. C., Castillo, J. J., Chesini, F., Cortés, S., García, S., Matus, P., Miller, J., Rusticucci, M., Santiago, R., Sergeeva, M., & Verzeñassi, D. (n.d.). INCÊNDIOS, MUDANÇAS CLIMÁTICAS E SAÚDE. Global Climate and Health Alliance. https://climateandhealthalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Wildfires_PT.pdf

Chicago

Camargo, Tatiana, Patricia Caro Uribe, Juan José Castillo, Francisco Chesini, Sandra Cortés, Susana García, Patricia Matus, et al. INCÊNDIOS, MUDANÇAS CLIMÁTICAS E SAÚDE. Global Climate and Health Alliance, n.d. https://climateandhealthalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Wildfires_PT.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Camargo |first1=Tatiana |last2=Uribe |first2=Patricia Caro |last3=Castillo |first3=Juan José |last4=Chesini |first4=Francisco |last5=Cortés |first5=Sandra |last6=García |first6=Susana |last7=Matus |first7=Patricia |last8=Miller |first8=Jeni |last9=Rusticucci |first9=Matilde |display-authors=etal |title=INCÊNDIOS, MUDANÇAS CLIMÁTICAS E SAÚDE |publisher=Global Climate and Health Alliance |url=https://climateandhealthalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Wildfires_PT.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{camargondincndios, author = {Camargo, Tatiana and Uribe, Patricia Caro and Castillo, Juan José and Chesini, Francisco and Cortés, Sandra and García, Susana and Matus, Patricia and Miller, Jeni and Rusticucci, Matilde and Santiago, Raquel and Sergeeva, Milena and Verzeñassi, Damián}, title = {{INCÊNDIOS, MUDANÇAS CLIMÁTICAS E SAÚDE}}, institution = {Global Climate and Health Alliance}, url = {https://climateandhealthalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Wildfires_PT.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }