Indians Health: Contemporary Reflections

Abstract

Objective: The study aims to analyze some elements of the socio-historical trajectory of public policies in health in the process of realization and social provision this fundamental right beside the indigenous communities in Brazil. Methodology: It was used the literature-interpretative method, accompanied by statistical data for the National Indian Foundation, National Health Foundation and Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Results:  The health policy for native peoples is one of the issues of constant discussion by several national and international bodies. Sensitive to diseases brought by non-indigenous peoples and, many times, inhabiting remote regions and of difficult access, indigenous peoples are victims of diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, respiratory infections, hepatitis, sexually transmissible diseases, among other. Since the creation of the National Indian Foundation (Funai), in 1967, various institutions and government agencies undertook the care for Indians.Conclusion: The guidelines were changed several times, but, except for individual cases, in no time the health situation in indigenous lands was really satisfactory.