Health and Human Rights Territories in Dispute

Health and human rights are increasingly contested within a political landscape shaped by competing ideologies, particularly in Brazil. Following the democratization of Brazil in the 1990s, the right to health was enshrined in the 1988 Constitution, establishing universal access to healthcare. Howev...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inHealth and human rights Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. 109 - 112
Main Author PITANGUY, JACQUELINE
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States President and Fellows of Harvard College 01.06.2025
Harvard School of Public Health
Harvard University Press
Harvard FXB Center for Health and Human Rights
Subjects
Adversity
Advocacy
Democratization
False information
Gender identity
Health care access
Health education
Health promotion
Human rights
Misinformation
Narratives
Polarization
Political platform
Populism
Public health
Public opinion
Reproductive health
Reproductive rights
Resilience
Rhetoric
Right wing politics
VIEWPOINT
Brazil
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Summary:Health and human rights are increasingly contested within a political landscape shaped by competing ideologies, particularly in Brazil. Following the democratization of Brazil in the 1990s, the right to health was enshrined in the 1988 Constitution, establishing universal access to healthcare. However, the rise of right-wing populism has threatened these advancements, as leaders like Jair Bolsonaro have promoted narratives that undermine health rights, particularly regarding sexual and reproductive health. This viewpoint highlights the cultural and political battles surrounding gender identity and reproductive rights, which have become central to electoral platforms and public discourse. The extreme right's binary framing of issues fosters polarization and hinders democratic debate, often using misinformation and religious rhetoric to manipulate public opinion. The consequences of these dynamics are profound, affecting public health policies and individual well-being. To counter these challenges, coordinated advocacy efforts are essential, focusing on regulating misinformation, promoting health education, and fostering community resilience against harmful narratives. The path forward requires a collective commitment to uphold democratic values and human rights in the face of adversity.
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Competing interests: None declared.
ISSN:1079-0969
2150-4113
2150-4113