ABSTRACT

The effects of climate change on health conditions in developing nations is a new and emerging area of research. In the case of Brazil, this chapter examines how droughts in the northeastern region pose challenges for state and especially municipal governments to respond to the healthcare needs, such as preventative and curative care, of the most vulnerable populations. This chapter looks specifi cally at the northeastern state of Ceara. This state is chosen because of its well known success in responding to the healthcare needs of poor farmers and agricultural workers affl icted by drought. Beginning in the mid-1980s, an innovative healthcare program led by volunteer nurses and citizens, Agentes de Saude (Health Agents program), was introduced to provide monthly visitations to these communities. This program eventually became the Family Health Program (FHP) in 1994, which garnered domestic and international acclaim for its success. The success of this program has not only been written about in the literature but has also led to the creation of several similar programs throughout Brazil.