Work

Afro-Brazilian Religions and Ethnic Identity Politics in the Brazilian Public Health Arena

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: In this article, I examine the ways in which health activists from Afro-Brazilian religions deploy ethnic identity politics within the Brazilian public health arena to gain recognition and respect for their beliefs and practices, as well as public health goods for their communities. I also discuss the creation and enactment of “culturally competent” healthcare initiatives for members of Afro-Brazilian religions. Finally, I examine the tension between universal particular identity frames that emerges within the political discourses of health activists from Afro-Brazilian religions. Throughout, I place this case study in dialogue with similar scholarship on minority health politics and cultural competence initiatives in other parts of the world.

Source: Health Culture and Society

DOI: 10.5195/hcs.2012.92

Author: A Pagano

Institution: University of California, Berkeley

Language: English

Topic: Religion and Society in Latin America

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, University of California, San Diego, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism